What would they do with Jewish dead bodies?

Answer 1

Jewish law (halacha) is very specific about how bodies should be treated after death. Most Jewish communities have a volunteer based sacred burial society called a Chevra Kaddisha. These volunteers are trained in the proper way to prepare a body for burial which includes:

• The body is washed with warm water from head to foot, the body is never placed face down during this process.
• The body is then wrapped in white burial shrouds (made of cotton or linen) called 'tachrichim'. These shrouds are kept neutral on purpose so there is no distinction between the rich and the poor.
• Men are buried with their prayer shawls after one of the fringes is cut off.
• The body is never left alone until after burial.
• The funeral ceremony is normally kept simple and the body is buried in a plain wood box.

Also, men will prepare the bodies of men while women prepare the bodies of women.

Answer 2

Following a funeral service, the body ... usually enclosed in a wooden casket ...

is buried in a grave in the ground. Cremation is contrary to Judaism.