Eric Bloch laid to rest

Rest in peace: Dr Eric Bloch was buried in a simple casket - Jewish tradition teaches that the deceased should be buried in a simple casket — **Rest in peace: Dr Eric Bloch was buried in a simple casket – Jewish tradition teaches that the deceased should be buried in a simple caske**t

Online Reporter

CELEBRATED economic commentator and former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) adviser Dr Eric Bloch was laid to rest this morning at the Jewish Cemetery in Bulawayo.

Hundreds of people attended the burial of Dr Bloch.

Dr Bloch was buried next to his late wife Baileh Thelma Bloch who passed away in 2011.

**United in death: Dr Eric Bloch was laid to rest next to his late wife Baileh Thelma Bloch who died in 2011**

Among the mourners were former RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono, former senator David Coltart, Bulawayo Mayor Martin Moyo, economist John Robertson and Dr Simba Makoni.

Friend to the grave: Former RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono (wearing a black Jewish cap) was a pallbearer at Dr Eric Bloch's funeral — **Friends to the grave: Former RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono (wearing a black Jewish cap) was a pallbearer at Dr Eric Bloch’s funeral**

Dr Bloch was encased in a simple kosher casket.

Jewish tradition teaches that the deceased should be buried in a simple casket. It should be completely biodegradable. A kosher casket is made entirely of wood – with no nails whatsoever. Embalming is also not permitted (unless required by law). The reason for this is so that the process of decomposition can take place in a natural fashion.

There was no body viewing because open caskets are not permitted at Jewish funerals.

Former Senator David Coltart was also a pallbearer at Dr Eric Bloch's burial — **Former Senator David Coltart was also a pallbearer at Dr Eric Bloch’s burial**

Dr Bloch died aged 75 on Saturday night.

He is survived by three sons, Mark, 48, Raphi, 50, and Barry, 46, and a daughter, Ruth, 43, and 16 grandchildren who live in Israel, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Read the Chronicle tomorrow for more details.