We must first define spirituality and then demonstrate how the values associated with death and bereavement can help to promote spiritual development. We can indeed become more aware of God's presence and purpose through a thoughtful exposure to these two values. The value of respecting the dead person's body emerges quite straightforwardly from the statement in Genesis that we are created in God's image. Jewish tradition encourages a direct confrontation with the reality of death. Burial is swift, and mourners are asked to participate in the actual shoveling of earth to cover the casket and even to fill the entire gravesite.
Jewish practice frowns on any effort to camouflage the fact that a death has occurred.
This reality principle can push us to explore God's purpose. A true vignette can help to elucidate the connection between the reality of death and an awareness of God's purpose. A fourth grade class was discussing Jewish practices associated with death and bereavement, following the death of the father of one of the students in the class. After they had covered most of the basic practice and had been prepared for paying a shiva call and re-connecting with their classmate, they invited me to come to class to respond to some lingering questions. The discussion quickly moved to other questions which touched on this mystery of life and the search for God's purpose in the world.