The Boulder Chevra Kadisha was established in 1996 to continue the ancient Jewish traditions of honoring the dead and comforting the mourner.

The chevra serves the needs of the non-orthodox Boulder County Jewish community. Members of the Chevra will perform tahara and shmira services for any Jew from any congregation in the Boulder County area, as well as for those who are unaffiliated.

A chevra kadisha is a group of dedicated volunteers who perform the traditional Jewish rituals of tahara and shmira, preparing individuals for burial. This service is one of chesed shel emet (ultimate kindness.)  In order to maintain the dignity of the one who has died, the tahara ritual is performed by trained members of the Chevra who are the same gender as the deceased.

The mission of Boulder Chevra Kadisha is to provide traditional end-of-life ritual services with respect for the human dignity of the deceased. We are informed by tradition, but guided by modern life.

Local mortuaries and rabbis work directly with the chevra when there is a death in the community.

For more information on volunteering with the Chevra

Call - 303-842-5365

Email - boulder.chevra@gmail.com

  • Chevra members perform tahara, the washing and purification of the body - referred to as the met - in preparation for burial. The body is then dressed in a simple white cotton or linen suit called tachrichim and put into an unadorned, pine coffin. Chevra members also perform shmira (guarding), a continuous vigil of the met that takes place from death until interment The shomer (guard) reads psalms or prayers, while a candle burns continuously at the head of the coffin. Both tahara and shmira are done in a very respectful and loving way according to Jewish law. They are meant to help survivors cope with their loss by honoring their loved one with dignity and to help guide the deceased on this last journey.

  • The Chevra’s services begin as soon as possible after death and end with burial or removal from the mortuary for cremation.

  • You may have shmira without tahara and tahara without shmira.

  • The service is free, but we suggest a $220 donation to support the Boulder Chevra Kadisha. Often the mortuary working with the family collects this fee.

  • The Boulder Chevra Kadisha is available to serve all Jews in our community.

  • Discuss it with your rabbi and family. You may include your desire for chevra kadisha services in your pre-planning documents.

  • The Chevra Kadisha needs and invites volunteers from the Jewish community. You can sit shmira without joining the Chevra Kadisha. Call 303.842.5365 to learn more.

  • As soon as you learn that your loved one has died, or if you anticipate a death in your family and would like to make prior arrangements, call your rabbi, the rabbi of a local synagogue, or contact your desired mortuary. They will notify the Boulder Chevra Kadisha.