Burial Practices
Question
Why is there a custom to place broken pieces of pottery on the eyes and mouth of the deceased in preparation for burial?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question!
The custom of placing broken pottery, known as sherblach , on the body of the deceased is found on the commentaries to Yoreh Deah in the laws of preparing a body for burial (YD 362). The Tur says that when someone is buried in a coffin some earth should be placed on the face and eyes of the deceased as a fulfilment of the verse, "...and to the dust you shall return…" (Gen. 3:19).
The Prisha comments that in his area this custom was fulfilled by putting pieces of pottery on the eyes and the mouth instead of using actual earth. This decision was likely based on the fact that pottery is, after all, earth, and using the pottery is less messy and maybe more respectful than using earth.
Nowadays, some Chevra Kadishas use pottery, some use earth, and some use both. There is also a widespread custom outside the Land of Israel to place earth from the land of Israel in the coffin in some form or another.
The use of earth/pottery is also meant to be reminiscent of the verse, "The earth atones for its people" (Deut 32:42.) meaning that burial in the earth, especial in/with earth from the Land of Irael brings atonemt to a person for their sins.
The reason the earth/pottery is placed specifically on the eyes and mouth rather than other areas of the body is because it is these two organs that are most associated with sin: what we look at and how we speak.