785. A Kohein in Mourning
A kohein may not come in contact with the body of a deceased person, since it will render him tomei (ritually impure); the exception is his next of kin, as enumerated in the Torah: his father, mother, brother, unmarried sister, spouse, son or daughter—in which case it is obligatory for him to become tomei.
But what if in the process of honoring his parents and dealing with burying them the kohein comes in contact with other deceased bodies? There is a difference of opinion among poskim whether a kohein is permitted to do so.
For example, some poskim say a kohein may not enter a cemetery, since he will pass by other graves. The Rema rules that if it is part of the process of treating his relatives or honoring them, then, and only then, may the kohein enter the cemetery and become tomei.
But what about leaving the cemetery after the burial—which is not part of the mitzvah, when the kohein is bound to pass by other graves? All poskim agree that it is a problem. Some poskim say that even going into the cemetery to bury his next of kin is not permitted, since there is the option of burying the deceased kohein at the side of the cemetery, as is the common custom in many places.