NBE Funeral Directing Practice Exam

Which group practices the Kaddish as part of their mourning rituals?

1. Buddhists

2. Jehovah's Witnesses

3. Jews

4. Hindus

The correct answer is: Jews

The Kaddish is a traditional Jewish prayer that is recited in memory of deceased loved ones and plays a vital role in Jewish mourning rituals. It expresses the mourner's hope for the glorification of God's name and serves as a way to honor the memory of the deceased. The recitation of Kaddish is typically done at certain times, such as during daily prayers, at specific synagogue services, and on the anniversary of the death, known as the yahrzeit. This practice helps to create a communal atmosphere of remembrance and support among those mourning. In contrast, the other groups listed do not have a practice involving the Kaddish in their mourning rituals. Buddhists focus on the cycle of life and may perform different rites in their understanding of rebirth and impermanence. Jehovah's Witnesses have their own specific beliefs around death and do not use Kaddish in their practices. Hindus have unique mourning rituals that revolve around their beliefs in karma and reincarnation, including rites like the shraddha ceremony, which are quite different from the Jewish tradition of Kaddish.