How many days should we sit shiva?
The word shiva comes from the Hebrew word sheva, which means “seven.” Families choose the length to “sit shiva” usually a few days or a maximum of seven. This provides the time to emotionally prepare to return to everyday living, allowing us to complete the most intense period of grieving in the comfort and privacy of our own home. When counting, the day of the funeral serves as the first day of shiva.
