Jewish coffins Deceased Jews must be buried not cremated. According to Jewish tradition, the deceased should be reunited with the soil as soon as possible. Jewish coffins are typically painted wood with rope handles and wooden pegs, and will be constructed without any metal. Holes are drilled in the base of the coffin to allow the body to connect with the earth. All Jews - rich or poor - are buried in the same kind of coffin. The belief is that all people are born, and should die, exactly the same way