
2. After death:
Bracha of Dayan Haemes:[1] Some write that the relatives of a Nefel may say the blessing of Baruch Dayan Haemes with Hashem’s name if they so choose.
Placing on floor:[2] A Nefel does not need to be placed on the floor, as is commonly done to the bodies of others who have deceased.
Lighting candles:[3] There is no need to light candles around the Nefel.
Pouring water:[4] One is to spill the water in the home after a Nefel passes away. However, if the child was born dead, water is not needed to be spilled. See Chapter 2 Halacha 5!
Kissing:[5] One may not kiss a Nefel, just as by any other deceased. See Chapter 2 Halacha 4C!
Looking at face:[6] One is to avoid looking at the face of a Nefel, just as by any other deceased. See Chapter 2 Halacha 4C!
Shemirah:[7] A Nefel does not require Shemirah to be done to the body if he is in a safe area, protected from rodents and the like, such as in the fridge of the morgue.
Autopsy:[8] It is forbidden to perform an autopsy on a Nefel. In a case of need, a Rav is to be contacted.
Aninus: Some Poskim[9] rule the relatives of a Nefel do not have the status of an Onen.[10] Other Poskim[11] however leave this matter in question.[12] Practically, the relatives are obligated to fulfill the Mitzvos, but are not to eat meat, drink wine, or have marital relations until the burial.[13] See Chapter 3!
__________________________________________[1] Nitei Gavriel 63:6 in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein; 135:6
[2] Nitei Gavriel 135:3
[3] Nitei Gavriel 135:3
[4] Nitei Gavriel 8:7; 135:7
[5] Nitei Gavriel 135:4
[6] Nitei Gavriel 135:5
[7] Gesher Hachaim p. 118; Darkei Chesed p. 70; Nitei Gavriel 8:10; 132:2
[8] See Maharam Shick Y.D. 323; Binyan Tziyon 119; Nishmas Avraham Volume 2 p. 522; Nitei Gavriel 132:38; 41 footnote 55
[9] Dvar Moshe 83 based on Yerushalmi, brought in Birkeiy Yosef 341:1, Rav Akiva Eiger 341, Pischeiy Teshuvah 341:1; Gilyon Maharsha 341; Poskim in Nitei Gavriel 13 footnote 4; See Bach 353
[10] The reason: As a Kohen may not defile himself to a Nefel, even if he is a relative, hence proving there is no true obligation of burial. Alternatively, even according to the Poskim who rule there is an obligation to bury a Nefel, nevertheless the laws of Aninus do not apply. [Poskim ibid]
[11] Tiferes Lemoshe, brought in Rav Akiva Eiger 341, Pischeiy Teshuvah 341:1
[12] The reason: As on the one hand the relatives do not have to mourn the child’s passing or sit Shiva. On the other hand, they are obligated to bury the child, and hence perhaps are prohibited in eating meat and wine, and exempt from all Mitzvos. [ibid]
[13] Nitei Gavriel 135:8
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