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JCGC Orthodox Cemeteries

Orthodox Cemeteries Religious Policies

  1. The status quo, as of June 30, 2008, shall be maintained with regard to Golf Manor #1/ Beth Jacob, Price Hill Congregation Cemetery, Golf Manor # 2 Cemetery, Golf Manor #3 Cemetery, Golf Manor #4/ Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Cemetery, American Beneficial Cemetery, Tiferath Israel Cemetery, Yad Chorutzim Cemetery, New Hope Cemetery, Schachnus Cemetery, and Hirsh Hoffert Cemetery.
  2. For any new Orthodox cemetery areas, all religious questions shall be decided by the Va’ad Hoier of Cincinnati or its designees.
  3. Burials must occur 24 hours after death, if possible (including civil holidays).
  4. Only Jews may be buried in the cemetery area.
  5. No cremated remains may be buried in the cemetery area.
  6. No ritual or ceremonies inconsistent with the teachings of Judaism shall be performed in the cemetery area, and no symbols or insignia inconsistent with the teachings of Judaism shall be displayed there, whether permanently or temporarily.
  7. Disinterment shall be permitted only in accordance with the dictates of halacha as determined by an Orthodox rabbi.
  8. No burials shall take place on Shabbat or major Jewish festivals (first, second, seventh, and eighth days of Pesach; both days of Shavuot; the first and second days of Sukkot; Shemini Atzeret; Simhat Torah; both days of Rosh Hashanah; and Yom Kippur).
  9. All who are buried must have a tahara from the Chevra Kadisha of Cincinnati or an Orthodox chevra kadisha from another city.
  10. Only traditional wooden caskets and bottomless vaults or containers are permitted.
  11. The grave cannot be opened the day before the burial. In extenuating circumstances (e.g., where the funeral needs to be earlier or multiple funerals on a day) the officiant should be consulted for guidance.
  12. No flowers, music, or adornments are permitted in the cemeteries.
  13. Conversions must be verified by an Orthodox Rabbi before the burial. Non-Orthodox conversions will not be accepted.
  14. The layout of graves will be husband next to wife or children next to family. The burial of a non-related male next to a non-related female is not permitted.
  15. Cohanim should be buried so family can visit without going into the cemetery, i.e., access by road or walk.
  16. These rules are not subject to change in the governance of the Orthodox cemeteries, even if there should be no Orthodox synagogue in Greater Cincinnati. In the unlikely event that such a situation arises, all decisions of Jewish law will be determined by the halachic authority of either The Rabbinical Council of America or the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America.
  17. Any additional questions concerning the Orthodox cemeteries (e.g., the use of hedges or a fence for demarcation of the Orthodox cemetery) must be brought to the Va’ad Hoier of Cincinnati or its designees for resolution.