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9. Death on Yom Tov:
*See Chapter 4 Halacha 3B for the full details of this matter!
First day of Yom Tov: It is permitted to bury a person on the first day of Yom Tov through the help of a gentile.[1] It is forbidden, however, for a Jew to perform Biblical Melacha on behalf of the burial.[2] If one does not plan on burying the body on Yom Tov, it is forbidden for the Jew to transgress any prohibition, even Rabbinical, for the sake of the body, just as is the law on Shabbos.[3] [Thus the Muktzah laws applicable to moving the body follow the same laws explained in the previous Halacha regarding Shabbos.]
Second day of Yom Tov: It is permitted for a Jew to bury a person on Yom Tov Sheiyni and perform even Biblical Melachos on his behalf, just like a weekday.[4] If, however, one does not plan on burying the body on Yom Tov, it is forbidden to perform any Melacha, even Rabbinical, on his behalf, even on Yom Tov Sheiyni.[5] However, regarding Muktzah, some Poskim[6] rule it is permitted to move the body on Yom Tov Sheiyni without restriction even if one does not plan on burying it that day. Other Poskim[7], however, argue and prohibit its movement due to Muktzah. Practically, it is proper to be stringent to only move the body for a purpose and only if there is a permitted item on the body. However, one does not need to be stringent to follow the moving restrictions brought in the previous Halacha regarding Shabbos, and it is always permitted to move the body for a purpose if there is a permitted item on it.[8]
May one notify the children or other relatives of the death on Yom Tov/Chol Hamoed? See Halacha 6 in Q&A!
_______________________________________________________[1] Admur 526:2
[2] Admur 526:3
[3] See Admur 526:1 and 10
[4] Admur 526:6
[5] Admur 526:10
[6] Stam opinion in Admur 526:10; Michaber 526:4
[7] Yeish Mi Shemoer brought in Admur ibid
[8] The reason: As the main opinion follows the former opinion brought above. [Admur ibid]
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