What do we get buried with? A Parochet?

Shalom and thank you for turning to us. We are sorry to hear that your friend has an illness that is considered to be terminal. If he is still alive, as long as there is life, there is hope. There are many documented stories of medical miracles, and it is most definitely a good idea to pray for your friend’s complete health, and in fact so should he. When the matriarch Sarah prophetically realized that Abraham’s son Yishmael was a bad influence on Isaac and in fact was endangering his life, she sent him away with his mother Hagar. He had fever and they had run out of water. Hagar laid him under a tree and distanced herself so as not to “see his death”. Genesis 21:17  says “And G-d heard the voice of the lad.” The Sages expound on this that “the prayer of a sick person for himself is fine”, meaning that it is desirable for a sick person to pray for themselves.

You could see to it that there be a Tzedaka box near your sick friend so that he can contribute every day if he is physically capable, or others who visit him or help him in other ways could contribute in his stead. This will be a great merit for him. He should be helped to put on Tefillin, pray, and do any mitzvah that he possibly can in his condition. He should make peace with anyone that he had a conflict with, including close relatives. All these things will help him in this world and in the world to come.

Regarding the use of a Parochet as part of the burial procedure, as far as we know this is not the accepted Jewish practice. White linen shrouds should be used.

When a person passes on, there are many things that can be done for the edification of his soul. Saying the Kaddish prayer at the appropriate times is an important one. Donating holy books like prayer-books and Chumashim is another common practice for the benefit of the departed. As mentioned above concerning the current period of sickness, all mitzvot performed with the sick person’s benefit in mind are a source of merit for him.

Let us hope for good news, and it is praiseworthy that you are reaching out to try to help your friend. May G-d crown your efforts with success and may we see