14. Leaving the Taharah room/home:[1]

Upon taking the body out of the Taharah room, or home housing the body prior to the funeral, the body is to be the first to leave the room, and all the people inside are then to follow. [However, prior to the exit of the body, it is permitted for people to come and go.[2] Likewise, those people who are needed to carry the body, may be the first to exit in the process of carrying.[3] Some are accustomed to place shattered earthenware by the entrance of the door upon taking the body out.[4] This is not the Chabad custom.[5] The body is to exit with its feet first.[6] Upon the body leaving the Taharah room, the verses of Yosheiv Besisar are to be recited.[7] Charity is to be given at this time in merit of the elevation of the soul of the deceased.[8]]

Kaddish:[9] In the event that the sons will not be participating in the funeral or burial [i.e. is in other country, or Minhag Yerushalayim] then Kaddish is to be recited by the sons prior to the body leaving the room. [The custom of many in the Diaspora, however, is for Kaddish to be said only after the burial, and not during the Levaya.[10]]

Not to place one coffin on top of another:[11] One is not to place the casket of the deceased on top of another casket that contains a body, and doing is a grave danger.

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[1] Beis Lechem Yehuda 362 in name of Tzavah of Rav Yehuda Hachassid 8; Rokeiach 316; Rabbeinu Yerucham 28:1; Aruch Hashulchan 358:5; Kitzur SHU”A 197:8; Pnei Baruch 4:15

[2] Shivim Temarim on Tzavah ibid

[3] Aruch Hashulchan 358:5 in name of Beir Heiytiv; Nitei Gavriel 50:3

[4] See Pnei Baruch 4:16; Nitei Gavriel 50:1

Upon doing so one says: “הפח נשבר ואנחנו נמלטנו ולא יהיה עוד שבר בגבול ישראל”.

[5] Darkei Chesed 15:1

[6] Nitei Gavriel 50:6

[7] Mavor Yabok Sifsie Tzedek 7; Nitei Gavriel 50:5

[8] Lechem Hapanim 368; Nitei Gavriel 50:5

[9] Gesher Hachaim 12:4 [p. 114]; Nitei Gavriel 50:7

[10] Rav Levi Garelik

[11] Aruch Hashulchan 358:5 in name of Beir Heiytiv; Nitei Gavriel 50:8