Four time frames are specified by the Jewish tradition to help wean the mourner from his natural grief.

One Day - Or the period between death and burial. By tradition, the mourner is to be left alone with no company at home, except the closest of family and friends who bring food for the grieving family's meals.

Shivah - This means "seven" and refers to the week of formal mourning in the home(s) of the bereaved. The count begins with the day of burial, and a full day is counted no matter the burial time. Mourners leave their home on the Sabbath (Friday night, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon) to attend synagogue services and recite the Kaddish there. Otherwise, the Kaddish is recited, in the presence of a Minyan, at services at home. Any part of the 7th day is counted as a whole day, (usually one hour in the morning).

Shloshim - 30 days. The mourners "rise" from Shiva after 7 days (3 days are permitted in circumstances of hardship), and return to work, school or other routines, but engage in no happy events or entertainment.

Year - (Eleven months) The formal mourning period ends with the "Dedication" or "Unveiling" of a permanent tablet marking the deceased's resting place. A candle is lit at sundown, and kaddish recited.

By ritual, only the following are considered mourners:

Parents

Children

Siblings

Note that no in-laws, no grandchildren or grandparents are included in this ritual category. However, this does not minimize the emotional impact on such people.

Minyan. Defines 10 Jews whose presence constitutes a ritual quorum that define "community."

Services are held in the mourners' home(s):

Shacharit - Morning Service. Minchah - Afternoon Service (noon to sundown). Maariv - Evening Service - After sundown. Often the Minchah is said the last part of the afternoon, with a slight break when the Maariv can be recited after sundown, thus "combining" these Services.

Keriah - Literally, "cutting," and refers to cutting either the clothing as in traditional families, or the ribbon appended to clothing of the mourners. Surviving children have the cut made on the left side (or lapel), while spouses, parents' and siblings' cuts are made on the right side, both near the heart. Those involved stand while either the Rabbi or, at his request, the Director, make the tear. The cutting may be made either in the Chapel or at the interment site at the Rabbi's direction.

A Shiva candle is given the family, to light immediately upon arrival at home after the funeral. It will burn the 7 days of Shivah, and may be said to reflect the idea that the Soul of Humankind is the Flame of God.

Mourners recite Kaddish daily. Families observe the anniversary of the death, called the Yahrzeit, or Anos, according to the Jewish Calendar. It always begins at sundown on the eve prior to the date, and ends the next sundown.

Unveiling or Dedication refers to the formal ceremony of the tablet marking the deceased's last resting place. Usually (but not necessarily) done prior to or on the 11th month following death, it is the symbolic removal of the cover placed on the marker, accompanied by prayers and the Kaddish.