What Makes a Cemetery A Jewish Cemetery?

Traditional Jewish funerals have a set of customs that make them “Jewish.” There are kosher caskets and other customs that are followed. There are also things such as Jewish cemeteries. But what makes a cemetery a Jewish cemetery? If you do not know how to find out, contact a funeral home in Helmetta, NJ for advice.

In Judaism, respecting the dead is one of the most sacred things you can do for someone who has passed. Jewish burial grounds also need to be sacred places. That is why Jewish communities often have designated Jewish cemeteries nearby. These cemeteries are often community-owned, operated, and maintained so they can see to it that it is done properly.

The cemetery must adhere to Jewish law. They have to follow complex rituals surrounding the burial ground to keep it kosher. They have to have physical boundaries, for example, that sets the cemetery apart from its surroundings. Graves have to be at least 40 inches deep and there cannot be ornate displays or decorations like special monuments or even flowers. Keeping a kosher Jewish cemetery is complicated and many other cemeteries are not properly maintained according to Jewish law.

Using an actual Jewish cemetery for burial is a matter of preference and not a requirement. They are highly recommended for people of the Jewish faith, but there are other options as well.

If you would like to know more about Jewish cemeteries, contact a funeral home in Helmetta, NJ that specializes in the Jewish faith. Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels is here to help with all aspects of a Jewish funeral from beginning to end. Give us a call at (800) 395-9199 or (732) 390-9199 with any questions you have.

At Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, we do our best to ensure that your loved one is treated with the utmost dignity and respect. We believe that every Jewish family should have a dignified Jewish funeral at a cost they can afford, so we bring services you can trust. We also promise to treat every family as our own. As part of the community, we want nothing but the best for our neighbors and friends. Giving you the traditional services you deserve is our number one priority. Every family deserves a high level of attention and care during difficult time. We will also help those who are outside of the Jewish faith understand what Jewish services are like so they are not surprised by the customs that take place.

Take a look at our outstanding amenities. We’re located at 454 Cranbury Road (at Evergreen Blvd.), East Brunswick, NJ 08816. You’ll find a relaxing, calming chapel there along with the caring, dedicated Mount Sinai staff that is here for you when you need them the most. We can accommodate over 100 cars and over 250 guests for funeral services.

If you want to look into our services further, call us 24/7 or stop by. You can also visit our website at https://www.msmc.us/.

Jewish Cemetery FAQ

How are Jewish people buried?

When a Jewish person dies, they are buried as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours. The body is prepared for burial by washing it and wrapping it in a shroud. A prayer service is held before the burial, and the body is then placed in a simple wooden coffin. The coffin is often left open so that friends and family can say goodbye to the deceased. Jewish cemeteries are divided into sections for men, women, and children, and each grave is marked with a simple stone. There is no embalming or cremation in Jewish tradition, and graves are usually shallow so that the bodies can return to the earth quickly.

Do Jewish people have cemeteries?

In the Jewish tradition, burial is an important part of caring for the dead. The objective of Jewish funeral rites is to ensure that the body of the deceased is treated with respect and dignity and that the soul is able to depart in peace. Jewish cemeteries are consecrated ground, and they are often located adjacent to synagogues or Jewish community centers. In order to be buried in a Jewish cemetery, the deceased must have been a member of the Jewish faith.

Why are Jewish graves above ground?

There are a number of reasons why Jewish graves are above ground. One reason is that Jews believe that the body should be buried as soon as possible after death, and that building a burial chamber underground can take too much time. In addition, Jewish law prohibits the desecration of a corpse, so burying bodies underground could make them more vulnerable to being disturbed. Furthermore, many Jews believe that the soul resides in the body for a short time after death, and so keeping the body above ground makes it easier for mourners to say prayers for the deceased. Finally, above-ground graves are often seen as more dignified than those below ground, as they are more visible and less likely to be forgotten. For all these reasons, Jewish cemeteries are typically filled with above-ground graves.