Burying was among the Jews the only mode of disposing of corpses (Gen. 23:19;25:9;35:8, 35: 9, etc.).
The first traces of burning the dead are found in 1-Sam 31:12. The burning of the body was affixed by the law of Moses as a penalty to certain crimes (Lev. 20:14;21:9).
In the earliest times of which we have record kinsmen carried their dead to the grave (Gen. 25:9;35:29; Judg. 16:31), but in later times this was done by others (Amos 6:16).
Immediately after decease the body was washed, and then wrapped in a large cloth (Acts 9:37; Matt. 27:59; Mark 15:46). In the case of persons of distinction, aromatics were laid on the folds of the cloth (John 19:39; comp. John 12:7).
As a rule the burial (q.v.) took place on the very day of the death (Acts 5:6, Acts 5: 10), and the body was removed to the grave in an open coffin or on a bier (Luke 7:14). After the burial a funeral meal was usually given (2-Sam 3:35; Jer. 16:5, Jer. 16: 7; Hos. 9:4).