07/30/2026
At Star of David Memorial Chapels, we provide family members with black ribbons to complete “Kriah,” an essential mourning ritual.
Kriah, which means “tearing” in Hebrew, is done by close family members, such as parents, siblings, and spouses, in private before the funeral service to express their grief. Traditionally, a family member tears or cuts their clothing. In modern times, families have begun using black ribbons to symbolize Kriah.
In accordance with the traditional Kriah ceremony, the relationship to the deceased determines the placement of the ribbon. Parents in mourning place the ribbon on their left side, while other immediate family members place it on the right.
If you have any more questions about Jewish funerals, give us a call at 631-454-9600.