Family Begin Traditional Jewish ‘Shiva’ For Singer Amy Winehouse

R.I.P. Amy Winehouse: Family Begin Traditonal Jewish Mourning Period of 'Shiva'

Yesterday the entire family along with many close friends gathered together at Edgwarebury Cemetery, North London, where the funeral of Amy Winehouse took place after her body had been cremated in nearby Golders Green.

Her loving father Mitch said:

“Goodnight my angel.

“Sleep tight.”

Following closely with their Jewish traditions, the family of soul singer Amy Winehouse have now begun their traditional period of mourning known as ‘Shiva.’

In Hebrew the word ‘Shiva’ means ‘Seven’ and is a traditional week-long period of mourning for the following principle relatives:

The Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister and Spouse.

The practice of ‘Shiva’ is based upon two verses from the Book of Issiah.

The day of the funeral is counted as the first day of ‘Shiva’ and begins after the principle mourners arrive at the designated home where they will remain together for seven days.

It is during this time that the principle mourners come to accept and adjust to their loss.

It is customary during the week of ‘Shiva’ to receive visitors wishing to make condolence calls, but each visitor should wait until they are first spoken to by those who are sitting ‘Shiva’ rather than initiate the conversation themselves.

Family and friends will serve food to the principle mourners and many prayer services will be held.

Jewish law demands that the seven principle sitters, place themselves on low chairs as a symbol to the mourners how their life has changed and bring them closer to the earth in which their loved one was buried.

All mirrors in the home are covered and a candle is lit in memory of their loved one for the whole seven day period, with Orthodox Jews refraining from wearing leather shoes, bathing, cutting their hair or changing their clothes.

‘Shiva’ is only temporarily paused by the sitters during the Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest) and then resumed again the following day.

Mourners end the ‘Shiva’ sitting usually in the morning with a visit to their loved one’s grave.