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RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Except for the Inclusive Section (section7) of the
cemetery, burial in
the cemetery is restricted to Jews only. A Jew is defined as
someone:
a. Born to Jewish mother, or Jewish father or
b. Who converted to Judaism and
c. Who identifies as being a Jew and has not adopted another religion.
2. The family member or other person arranging for the
burial my be asked to certify in writing that the deceased person was a Jew.
3. The cemetery is guided by Jewish law (Halachah). Any
questions of interpretation of Halachah will be determined by the Board of Trustees, after consultation with such rabbis as the Board may choose.
4. By purchasing a lot in the cemetery, a family agrees to
be bound by the decision of a Bet Din chosen by the board of Trustees to resolve any dispute and the family specifically agrees to the jurisdiction of the Bet Din. The family further agrees that the decision of the Bet Din shall be enforceable in the civil courts in the same manner that the civil courts may enforce the decision or an arbitrator.
5. Upon the occurrence of a death, the family or the funeral director shall contact the executive director of the Chevra Kadisha. If a cemetery lot has already been purchased the executive director will check the records to confirm that fact. Arrangements for opening the grave are the obligation of the funeral director, selected by the family of the deceased, who is to contact the executive director for confirmation of the burial site. If the lot has not been purchased, the executive director will plan to meet with a member of the family to pick a lot. No burial shall be permitted until payment in full for the lot has been made.
6. Burial should be in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Jewish faith. In these rules the Chevra Kadisha has attempted to set forth the basic traditions and customs regarding burial procedures and urges the community to follow these traditions and customs. The Chevra Kadisha is available to provide additional information and guidance for families interested in obtaining additional information regarding Jewish Law and customs or one may contact one’s rabbi.
7. The Chevra Kadisha recommends that the body of the deceased not be left unattended but be always watched by a Shomer (guard or sitter). Arrangements may be made through the funeral director. This ritual may be performed by family members or friends of the family.
8. The Chevra Kadisha recommends that the body be cleaned by Tahara ritual washing. The Chevra Kadisha has individuals to perform this service for both men and women which can be arranged through the funeral director. There is a fee to be paid for this service.
9. Embalming is discouraged other than as required by law.
10. The use of a coffin is encouraged but not required. The coffin should be constructed in accordance with Jewish tradition, in that it be made of wood and have wooden pegs rather than nails or other metal parts.
11. It is Jewish custom that the deceased be buried in a shroud and the Chevra Kadisha urges that a shroud be used. A deceased man should also be buried with Tallit.
12. A concrete grave liner is required, and a special liner has been developed to comply with Orthodox standards. Only that liner may be used. The charge for the liner will be assessed by the funeral director.
13. The Chevra Kadisha is available to provide a minyan at the funeral if requested by the family.
14. Flowers are not customary at a Jewish funeral or upon the grave, but not prohibited.
15. No plants, shrubs or bushes of any type may be planted on or near graves.
16. Visitation is not appropriate on Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the festival days of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuout.
17. The Chevra Kadisha strongly discourages cremation. Burials of accidentally burned remains (e.g. caused by house fire or automobile accident) are permitted and all others are only allowed in section 7.
18. A signed application by a family member or other person for the purchase of lot and payment in full for the lot is required before burial is permitted.
19. No monument may be erected unless all charges due to the cemetery association have been paid in full.
20. In the event it becomes necessary to repair or reconstruct any headstone, head or foot marker monument or any other adornment which may have been damaged by the elements, an act of G-d, thieves, vandals, malicious mischief or accident, the owner of record will be responsible for such repairs.
21. Death by suicide shall not preclude burial in the cemetery.
22. No benches may be placed on the cemetery grounds that interfere with care of the graves. Benches must be identical, to the extent possible, to the currently existing bench for Mark Kutner, and placed only adjacent to a roadway or the perimeter of the cemetery without encroaching upon the grave site of another. Prior approval is required.
Adopted 1.27.2025