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JCGC Orthodox Cemeteries

Religious Policies

  1. The status quo, as of June 30, 2008, shall be maintained with regard to the Golf Manor Cemeteries in Covedale (Golf Manor #’s 1, 2 and 3, Beth Hamedrash Hagodol, and Beth Jacob/Price Hill Congregation), American Beneficial Cemetery in Covedale, Kneseth Israel Cemetery in Covedale, Tiferath Israel Cemetery in Covedale, Yad Chorutzim Cemetery in Covedale, New Hope Cemetery in Covedale, Schachnus Cemetery in Price Hill, and Hirsh Hoffert Cemetery in Price Hill.
  2. For any new Orthodox cemetery areas, all religious questions must be brought to the Orthodox Subcommittee of the Ritual Coordination Committee for resolution.
  3. Burials should occur within 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 rituals 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 in accordance with the dictates of Halacha as determined by the Orthodox Subcommittee of the Ritual Coordination Committee.
  8. No burials shall take place on Shabbat or major Jewish Festivals (the 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th days of Pesah, both days of Shavuot, the 1st and 2nd 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.
  12. No flowers, music, or adornments are permitted in the cemeteries.
  13. Conversions must be verified by an Orthodox Rabbi before the purchase of a grave and/or 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 must 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 The Beis Din of America.
  17. With respect to specific halachic issues, and in particular those set forth in number 7 and 13 above, each cemetery will be governed by the authority of its specific rabbi, and in the absence of a specific rabbi by the Orthodox Subcommittee of the Ritual Coordination Committee. The Rabbi of Golf Manor Synagogue will be the halachic authority of the Golf Manor cemeteries and American Beneficial, and the Rabbi of Congregation Zichron Eliezer will be for Knesteh Israel. The Orthodox Subcommittee of the Ritual Coordination Committee will be the halachic authority for Yad Chorutzim, Tiferath Israel, New Hope, Schachnus and Hirsh Hoffert.
  18. Any additional questions concerning the Orthodox cemeteries must be brought to the Orthodox Subcommittee of the Ritual Coordination Committee for resolution (i.e., the use of hedges or a fence for demarcation of the Orthodox cemetery).