Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Kohanim escorting their relative to burial

Hello,

Kohanim are not permitted to become tamei, but they are supposed to become tamei in burying their immediate relatives.

Normally, a kohen is buried at the edge of the cemetery, eliminating the exposure of the kohen's relatives to the other graves. However, where burial at the edge of the cemetery is not an option, the relatives should escort the kohen's body to its grave and remain present for the duration of the burial. After the burial: if they can find a spot which is more than 4 amot (about 7 feet) from any grave, they may remain there for tzidduk hadin and kaddish. Otherwise, they should leave immediately.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:252)

Have a good day,
Mordechai

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