Death is universal, but various cultures have their own unique traditions. Jewish culture has explicit rules that are steeped in tradition and have significant meaning. The rituals are based on events from the Hebrew Bible. When a person passes away tradition states that the deceased must not be left alone. Friends or family will stay with the body, or a person called a shomer is assigned to watch over the body. They are expected to stay awake and alert. The custom of tearing clothes occurs when family members tear their clothes to symbolize their loss and grief. There are rules to follow, not everyone tears their clothes, and sometimes that's appropriate. The bodies are prepared for burial following the custom whereby men are wrapped in their prayer shawl and women in a white shroud. The body is taken to the synagogue, there the chevra kadisha begins the purification of the body by washing it from head to toe. This is considered a new transition for the deceased. Some synagogues conduct a taharah during this process. It consists of Torah readings and other prayers. When the purification process is complete, the body is wrapped in a shroud. It is a plain, unadorned piece of cloth called a tachrichim. Men are also traditionally wrapped in their prayer shawl. There is a small tear on it which means it will no longer be used. The funeral will be held in a synagogue. Eulogies, Bible readings and psalms are read. The ceremony is simple, usually without music. In Israel, the deceased is usually buried simply in his shrouds, but in the United States and many other countries a simple wooden coffin is used. The simplicity of the coffin helps ensure... ... middle of paper ...... keep them in their homes. Another custom unique to Indonesia is that of the Walking Dead. When a person dies, it is important that he returns to the village where he was born. The villages were far apart and it would have been difficult to transport the body over the rough terrain. People helped the dead return to their place of birth. Roads and the greater availability of vehicles have made it easier to transport the body. The second possibility regarding the burial is equally disturbing. Some families cannot afford the cost of the funeral, so they place the deceased in a temporary coffin. Once the money is collected, the corpse must be lifted and reach its new resting place. Sometimes it can take years for the family to raise the money. Hence the Walking Dead of Indonesia. These are just a few of the wide variety of funeral and funeral rites from around the world.