Siman 547 – Death on C.H.

הChelek 5

102. Fasting and eulogies are forbidden on C.H. Therefore, the funeral procession shall not begin until the grave is dug. This way, the coffin will not delay on route, thereby triggering spontaneous eulogies. (ShA 1)

103. Within 30 days of a Moed, eulogies are allowed only for relatives who died within that period. Relatives who died more than 30 days before the Moed are not to be eulogised within 30 days of the Moed since it will arouse sadness during the festival. However, eulogies are allowed during the month of Elul. (ShA 3 – MB 2, 4)

104. You are allowed to eulogise a Torah scholar any time on erev Shabbos, erev Yom Tov, and even erev Pesach. It is unclear if other eulogies are allowed to be held after chatzos on those days. (BeH “sh’mutar”)

105. If someone hears the news of a close relative’s demise within 30 days of the Moed, he may eulogise his relative. (ShA 4)

106. Eulogies may be held on a first yortzeit which falls out within 30 days of a Reggel. (ShA 5)

107. Kayl Molay Rachamim is recited even on festivals because it is merely a prayer on behalf of the deceased – not a eulogy. (MB 8)

108. Mourners wear dark clothing during their first year. (MB 9)

109. There is a mitzva to tear kreah on the death of a close relative (that you have to mourn for), and upon witnessing someone’s soul departing. This mitzvah applies on C.H. For a relative, we would tear kreah on C.H. even upon hearing the news that he died within 30 days. (ShA 6)

110. During C.H. the neighbors provide the mourner with his first meal as usual. However, the mourner sits on a chair to eat the meal, since the requirement to sit near the floor does not apply during C.H. (ShA 8)

111. On Chol Hamoed it is permissible to cut the hair of a dead person, wash his clothes, sew his shrouds, and dig his grave. (ShA 9 – MB 19, 24)

112. If you ever fast because of a bad dream on C.H., be sure to fast again after Isru Chag. (MB 26)