Human life is the integration of soul and body into a single entity. Death is the dissolution of body and soul into two separate entities—a separation of the spiritual self from that which was once a vehicle to that self. The self is the soul, not the body. The body will inevitably fail and disintegrate; the soul is eternal and indestructible. This understanding of death underlies the Jewish approach to death and mourning.

Therefore, as Jews we do everything in our power to sustain life and avoid death; for each and every moment of life is truly sacred. On the other hand, the moment of death is accepted as the will of God, the True Judge, who knows when the soul's mission in the physical world has been fulfilled.

Hence, we show profound respect for the body, the necessary and indispensable vehicle that enables all the souls' accomplishments during life. That is the reason we provide every Jewish deceased with a proper and dignified Jewish funeral and burial.

Receiving a proper Jewish funeral is so significant and important, that many Jews mandate this in their wills, thereby ensuring that they will be buried in the ways of their ancestors.