THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHEVRA KADISHA, NASCK, FOUNDED IN 1996 AS ASSOCIATION OF CHEVROS KADISHA, INC., WAS CREATED IN ORDER TO FORM A UNITED AND COHESIVE GROUP OF JEWISH BURIAL SOCIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, DEDICATED TO TRADITIONAL JEWISH BURIAL PRACTICES. IT ACTS AS AN UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION TO ASSIST AFFILIATED GROUPS IN DEFINING, ESTABLISHING, AND ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF KOVOD HAMES (RESPECT FOR THE DEAD) AS DEFINED BY JEWISH LAW.