Services that the Hevra Kadisha (burial society) is obligated to provide free of charge


The burial services that the Hevra Kadisha is obligated provide free of charge are:

  • Burial location - according to the burial arrangements determined by the Hevra Kadisha.
  • Caring for the deceased - including purification of the body and regular shroud.
  • Funeral-related services - participation of a cantor and a burial crew (composed of at least two people).
  • Transfer of the deceased to the burial place:
    From the place of death to the place of burial, which are located within the boundaries of the local authority in which the Hevra Kadisha operates
    Or
    from the hospital, even if it is located outside the boundaries of the local authority in which the Hevra Kadisha operates, provided that it is the nearest hospital supplying medical services to the residents of the local authority in which the deceased resided.
  • The deceased can be transported to the funeral facility for refrigeration before the day of the funeral - on condition that both the location of death and the location of the cemetery are within the boundaries of the local authority in which the Hevra Kadisha operates.
    During regular business hours: from Sunday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Fridays and the day before holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Transfer is made by the Hevra Kadisha. Passed regular business hours (including holidays and Shabbatot) - transfer is handled by contacting the call center for the removal of deceased persons of the Ministry of Religious Services at the following number: *0120

Please note, the NII do not refund payments made to relatives who took care of the transport of the deceased to refrigeration, and not through the call center for removal of deceased persons.

Transport of the deceased to a civil cemetery

As of April 5, 2017, the transfer of the deceased to his burial place in a civil cemetery will be free of charge, if all of the following conditions are met:

  • In the locality where the death took place, there is no civil cemetery;
  • In the locality where the deceased was residing, there  is no civil cemetery;
  • The family did not buy the deceased a burial plot after the death.

If the family has paid for the transfer of the deceased for burial in a civil cemetery, and all above conditions are met, the family is entitled to receive a refund from the Hevra Kadisha on transport cost based on deceased transport tariff.