Welcome

The National Association of Chevra Kadisha is a resource for Chevros Kadisha, Rabbonim, and the general public on all issues relating to Jewish Burial. We provide support, information, education, and inspiration for all those involved with and seeking information about traditional Jewish Burial.

The tone and some ideas expressed in the following articles may not represent the views of this organization. Nevertheless, they raise important issues of interest for every Chevra Kadisha.

Jewish Tombstone Found On Sidewalk In Manhattan Leads To Mystery Solved
emunahmagazine.com - July, 2010

NEW
Maintaining the Halachic, religious integrity of cemeteries affects many Chevros Kadisha and the entire Jewish community and is often fraught with conflicting interests and views.
Cemeteries Are Becoming New Challenge for Interfaith Families
Forward - June 09, 2010

NEW
Cemetery vandalism, often an expression of anti-Semitism, is unfortunately prevalent in Europe and parts of the US as well. Although this article is focused on Israel, where the responsibility is at least shared by government agencies, it highlights the need for every cemetery and Chevra Kadisha to be sensitive to this serious issue and address it, proactively if possible.
My Shocking Visit to Har Hazeisim
Hamodia - June 23, 2010

What’s the Truth about . . . a Jew with a Tattoo Being Buried in a Jewish Cemetery?
Summer 2010

Judge permits Jewish family to exhume father's body
May 8, 2010

First ‘green’ Jewish cemetery opens
March 28, 2010
The first “green” Jewish cemetery in the United States was dedicated... (read more)

N.Y. Family Health Care Decisions Act - some implications
March 19, 2010
In an ominous new development, N.Y. State law has now vastly expanded the authority of health care providers to “pull the plug”... (read more)

Autopsies and the Jewish Law
March 3, 2010
In almost every venue or endeavor, American citizens generally ... (read more)

What the 7th of Adar means to us
February 25, 2010
An important day in the Jewish calendar... (read more)

Care Package to Heaven
aish.com - January, 2010
How to honor a parent who is no longer alive.

London Community introduces project to assist virtual autopsy.
United Synagogue funds MRI as autopsy alternative
The Jewish Chronicle - January 7, 2010
The United Synagogue is offering to pay up to £1,700 for non-invasive MRI scans ...(read more)

There are many critical reasons for a living will.  Here is another we don’t often consider…
Jewish woman's burial wish a point of contention
Post-Gazette.com - December 23, 2009
Burying loved ones is never easy, but...(read more)

Chronicle of a Death We Can't Accept
The New York Times - November 1, 2009
At a funeral directors' conference recently...(read more)

A Dry Run with Death
October 11, 2009
A practical, 12-point checklist to prepare for the inevitable.
The call came from my mother...(read more)

The Final Kindness
Mishpacha, September 16, 2009
Reprinted with permission

Israel Faces Grave Outlook for Burial Space
Reuters - August 3, 2009
Israel is running out of space to bury...(read more)

He wouldn't be caught dead in a shroud
OU Shabbat Shalom, January 7, 2009
It was late one Saturday night, a few hours after the end of Shabbos...(read more)

In the midst of a national debate over the escalating costs of healthcare, especially in the last years of life, and recognizing the increased lobbying by various hospitals and health care providers to take over decision-making processes at the end of life, the Rabbinical Council of America today published its newly-revised Halachic Health Care Proxy.
The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) Issues A New Halachic Health Care Proxy Form with Helpful Guidelines

The unfortunate prevalence and recent increase in the incidence of cremation among Jewish people has recently been the focus of many articles in the media, both secular and Jewish. The following are a number of informative articles that address this issue from different perspectives.  The knowledge and understanding of this issue is of importance to all Jews, particularly those involved in Chevra Kadisha.
Articles re: Burial vs. Cremation

Jewish Week- June 24, 2009
Jewish Journal- May 27, 2009
JTA- June 8, 2009
Mishpacha Magazine- June 24, 2009

Kivrei Tzaddikim in America
Yosef Gesser  Daily Hamodia,  January 21, 2009
Reprinted with permission


Visiting kivrei tzaddikim affords us an opportunity to forge a link with the Gedolim and tzaddikim of the past and the noble legacy they have transmitted to us. See also www.kevarim.com