What is Tehillim used for in funeral rites?

• A. Prayers from the Psalms
• B. A blessing said at graveside
• C. A hymn sung at farewell
• D. A religious chant

Answer: (A)

Tehillim is Hebrew for the Psalms, a collection of prayers and poems. In funeral rites, Tehillim refers to reciting these Psalms as prayers to God—offered to comfort the mourners, express grief, and affirm faith in life, death, and companionship with the divine. Mourners or the service often include passages like Psalm 23, using them to bring solace and a sense of sacred support during the ceremony and the mourning period. This is why it’s described as prayers from the Psalms, rather than just a blessing, a hymn, or a general chant.