Priestly Blessing in the House of Mourning
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Question
Can Kohanim who are not mourners recite the Priestly Blessing in the house of mourning?
Answer
According to the instructions of the Mishnah Berurah, the Priestly Blessing is not recited in the house of mourning even by those who are not mourners. However, in Jerusalem, it is customary for a Kohen who is not a mourner to recite the Priestly Blessing in the house of mourning.
Source
Mishnah Berurah, Siman 121, S"K 6: "One should not say 'Our God and the God of our fathers' in the house of mourning, as stated in Be'er Hetev, and this is in Shaarei Knesset HaGedolah in the name of the book Tanya. Therefore, even though the Dagul MeRevavah disagrees, one should heed the words of the early authorities [Magen Giborim]:" This means they hold that 'Our God and the God of our fathers' should not be said since the Kohanim do not raise their hands in places where it is customary to bless every day.
In Shaarei Teshuva, Siman 121, Sif 3, it is written: "And it is written in Shaarei Tzion that in Jerusalem, where it is customary to bless the Kohanim in the house of mourning, even if the Kohanim do not say 'Our God and the God of our fathers', it is obvious." This means that in Eretz Yisrael, one who is not a mourner blesses the Kohanim. Therefore, in places where it is customary to bless the Kohanim only on Yom Tov, 'Our God and the God of our fathers' is said.