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5. The Taharah room:
The Taharah room is the room in which the body is washed, cleansed and immersed in a Mikveh or nine Kavin. Every established Chevra Kadisha contains a room designated for the Taharah, which is equipped with all that they will need for the process. This room is often positioned and built in the entrance to the cemetery. Many Taharah rooms contain a Mikveh for the purpose of immersing the body.[1]
Other deceased people in the room:[2] There should be no other bodies in the Taharah room while the Taharah is being performed on the given body.
Lighting candles:[3] The widespread custom is to light candles in the room while the Taharah is being performed. After the Taharah, a candle is to remain lit near the deceased until the Levayah.
No spectators:[4] Only those involved in the Taharah may remain in the Taharah room. Spectators are not to be allowed to see the Taharah.[5]
_________________________________________________________________________[1] Gesher Hachaim 9:4
[2] Nitei Gavriel 39:8 in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein
[3] Nitei Gavriel 40:11, 13
[4] Nitei Gavriel 41:6; 44:18
[5] The reason: It is belittling to the deceased for people to watch him being washed and cleaned without clothing.
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