Prayers for the Departed

Enter the name of the deceased and receive a complete personalized prayer order, downloadable as PDF: cemetery blessing, Ata Gibor, pre-study prayer, L'khu N'ran'na, Psalms, Psalms 119 and Mishnayot by name letters, Mourner's Kaddish with word-by-word translation, post-study prayer, Hashkava, El Malei Rachamim, and Yizkor

Prayer at the Cemetery Entrance

This blessing is customarily recited upon entering a cemetery when one hasn't visited for 30 days or more.

Ata Gibor

Some add this prayer at the cemetery.

אַתָּה גִבּוֹר לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי, מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים אַתָּה, רַב לְהוֹשִׁיעַ.

Ata gibor l'olam Adonai, m'khayeh metim ata, rav l'hoshi'a.

מְכַלְכֵּל חַיִּים בְּחֶסֶד, מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים, סוֹמֵךְ נוֹפְלִים וְרוֹפֵא חוֹלִים וּמַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים, וּמְקַיֵּם אֱמוּנָתוֹ לִישֵׁנֵי עָפָר.

M'khalkel khayim b'khesed, m'khayeh metim b'rakhamim rabim, somekh noflim v'rofeh kholim umatir asurim, um'kayem emunato lisheinei afar.

מִי כָמוֹךָ בַּעַל גְּבוּרוֹת וּמִי דּוֹמֶה לָּךְ, מֶלֶךְ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה וּמַצְמִיחַ יְשׁוּעָה.

Mi khamokha ba'al g'vurot umi domeh lakh, melekh memit um'khayeh umatzmi'akh y'shu'a.

וְנֶאֱמָן אַתָּה לְהַחֲיוֹת מֵתִים.

V'ne'eman ata l'hakhayot metim.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָֹה, מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים.

Barukh ata Adonai, m'khayeh hametim.

Prayer Before Study

A prayer recited before Torah study for the elevation of the soul.

Lechu Neranena

לְכוּ נְרַנְּנָה לַיהוָֹה, נָרִיעָה לְצוּר יִשְׁעֵנוּ.

L'khu n'ran'na lAdonai, nari'a l'tzur yish'enu.

נְקַדְּמָה פָנָיו בְּתוֹדָה, בִּזְמִרוֹת נָרִיעַ לוֹ.

N'kad'ma fanav b'toda, bizmirot nari'a lo.

כִּי אֵל גָּדוֹל יְהוָֹה, וּמֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל עַל כָּל אֱלֹהִים.

Ki el gadol Adonai, umelekh gadol al kol elohim.

Select chapters to include in PDF

Psalms 119 - By Name Letters

An ancient custom to recite sections of Psalm 119 corresponding to the letters of the deceased's name + the letters of נ-ש-מ-ה (soul).

Mishnayot by Name Letters

A widespread custom to study Mishnah chapters by the letters of the deceased's name, for the elevation of the soul.

Mikvaot Chapter 7 (letters of Neshama)

Mishnah chapters alphabetically by the deceased's name

Mourner's Kaddish

An Aramaic prayer recited by mourners for 11 months after passing, and on every yahrzeit. Kaddish requires a minyan (quorum of 10).

Prayer After Study

A prayer recited after completing Torah study for the elevation of the soul.

Hashkava

The Hashkava prayer is recited in the Sephardic tradition for the elevation of the soul. It is customarily said in synagogue after Torah reading, at funerals, and on memorial days.

El Malei Rachamim

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A memorial prayer recited for the elevation of the soul. Traditionally said on yahrzeit, during Yizkor services, and at funerals.

This prayer is usually recited by the cantor. Uncheck if you don't need it in the printout.

Yizkor / Memorial

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The Yizkor prayer is recited on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, the seventh day of Passover, and Shavuot. Each person recites it silently during the memorial service.

Yizkor is recited only on certain holidays. Uncheck if you don't need it in the printout.

About This Tool

This tool helps families prepare personalized prayers for their loved ones. All texts are based on traditional liturgical formulations in the public domain. This tool does not replace guidance from a qualified rabbi.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prayers are said for the elevation of the departed's soul?

The main prayers include: Hashkava (Sephardic tradition), El Malei Rachamim, Yizkor memorial prayer, Mourner's Kaddish, and a blessing upon entering the cemetery. Additionally, it is customary to recite Psalms (especially chapter 119 by name letters) and study Mishnayot by the letters of the deceased's name + the letters of neshamah (soul). Our tool generates all of these personalized prayers with the deceased's name.

How long is Kaddish recited?

Ashkenazi custom: 11 months from the day of passing. Sephardic custom: 12 months. After that, Kaddish is said on every yahrzeit. It requires a minyan of 10 Jewish men.

What is the custom of Psalm 119 by name letters?

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in Psalms, divided into 22 sections by Hebrew alphabet letters (8 verses each). The custom is to read sections matching the letters of the deceased's name, plus the letters spelling נשמה (soul). With our tool, you can enter the deceased's name and the system immediately displays all relevant Psalm sections by name letters.

Why study Mishnah for the departed?

The Hebrew word 'Mishnah' (משנה) contains the same letters as 'neshamah' (נשמה - soul). Therefore, it is customary to study Mishnah tractates beginning with the letters of the deceased's name + נשמה. With our tool, the system displays all relevant tractates by name letters - select the ones you want and they appear in the downloadable PDF.

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