Jewish Monuments
Monuments - It is customary to place a monument (matzeivah), on a grave, dedicating it in a brief ceremony, known as unveiling, which usually takes place within a year after the death. However, it may take place at any time after the thirty-day period.
There are a variety of practices concerning inscriptions, though the tendency emphasizes simplicity. The English name of the deceased, and often their Hebrew name, dates of birth and death, and certain Hebrew letters are generally included. These letters are the initials of the words in the phrase tehei nishmato/nishmatah tzereurah bitzror ha-yahim. (Tuf, nun, tzadi, bet, hay)
ת׳ נ׳ צ ׳ב׳ ה ׳ , which means, "May his/her soul be bound up in the bond of life." Another Hebrew text often included is the abbreviation Pe Nun, for “Here is buried.” Which reads,פ ׳ נ ׳ . While the formal unveiling of a monument is of significance to the family and friends, Jewish tradition has not emphasized it as a basic ceremony. Care should be taken to avoid the extremes of either another funeral or a festive reunion, at the cemetery or at home. Often, a Rabbi or Cantor conducts a brief service at the grave site. Families can offer their own service and recite appropriate prayers and psalms. These prayers are available under the Prayers & Meditation page on our website or through your synagogue’s office. Respect paid to the memory of the dead is not confined to the site where the earthly remains are interred. But as the grave does symbolize a memorial for the dead, it is an appropriate place for family and friends to gather in respect. The formal unveiling itself is a symbol, signifying that we open our hearts to the memory of the dead, to the meaning of their lives, to their influence upon us, and to appropriate ways of perpetuating their devotion. In older cemeteries, the Sephardim usually have horizontal stones, so that nobody is higher than anyone else in death.
Unveiling
Unveiling - A monument is erected at the grave any time after Shloshim (30 days). The unveiling ceremony usually occurs around the time of the first Yahrzeit. Before the ceremony, the headstone is covered with a white sheet. Either a rabbi or the family can recite psalms and say a few words about the deceased. Included are the reading of a few psalms the chanting of El Molya Rachamim, and at the end of the ceremony the covering is removed and the Kaddish is recited. This service is typically short, and is usually attended by invitation only. It is not a requirement in Judaism, but has become a tradition in the United States.
Below are some general options for Jewish Monuments. These serve as a good starting point. If there is a monument that you have seen and would like pricing information to duplicate it or create something similar, please contact us with a location and we will provide you with an estimate.
Granite Type: Select Dark Barre Granite (Barre, Vermont)
Memorial Type: Single slant or single slant on base (smaller than
average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 24” wide and 18” tall with base, 30” wide, 26” tall
Finish: The face of the slant is polished, the back is smooth and the balance is natural rock. The top of base is
polished.
Symbolism: The Star of David is the symbol of Divine Protection.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of the memorial.
Other Options: If base option is chosen please add $700.00 which includes additional foundation costs.
Designed for: Single memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $1,175.00 (includes charges for foundation at Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as Mt. Hope Cemetery).
Granite Type: Select Dark Barre Granite (Barre, Vermont)
Memorial Type: Single slant or single slant on base (smaller than average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton
Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 24” wide and 18” tall with base, 30” wide, 26” tall
Finish: The face of the slant is polished, the back is smooth and the balance is natural rock. The top of base is
polished.
Symbolism: The Star of David is the symbol of Divine Protection.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of the memorial.
Other Options: If base option is chosen please add $700.00 which includes additional foundation costs.
Designed for: Single memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $1,175.00 or $1,875.00 (includes charges for foundation at Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as Mt. Hope Cemetery)
Granite Type: Select Dark Barre Granite (Barre, Vermont)
Memorial Type: Traditional Single Monument (above average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 26” wide and 40” tall
Finish: The front & back of the tablet are polished, while
the top and ends are natural rock.
Symbolism: The Star of David is the symbol of Divine Protection.
The Caduceus is engraved between the dates. Other emblems
(Masonic, Knights of Pythias, Military, Civic, Etc.) can be substituted.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of
the memorial.
Other Options: To add a polished top to the tablet, please add $140.00, and polished ends for $400.00.
Designed for: Single memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $2,750.00 (includes the charges for a foundation at Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as for Mt. Hope Cemetery).
Granite Type: Jet Black Granite (India)
Memorial Type: Traditional Single Monument (above average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 26” wide and 40” tall
Finish: The entire tablet is polished.
Symbolism: The Star of David is the symbol of Divine Protection.
The Cohanim hands are the symbol of the true priests.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of
the memorial.
The Hebrew is a graphic for display purposes only. A Rabbi would be contacted for the correct inscription.
Designed for: Single memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton
Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $3,750.00 (includes charges for foundation at
Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as for Mt. Hope Cemetery)
Granite Type: Antique Mahogany Granite (Vermillion Bay, Ontario,
Canada)
Memorial Type: Traditional Single Monument (above average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 28” wide and 42” tall
Finish: The front, back and top of tablet are polished, the top
and ends are natural rock. Frosted outline lettering is
used to leave more of the polished surface.
Symbolism: The Menorah commemorates the Destruction of the Temple erected
by Solomon.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of
the memorial.
Other Options: Polished the ends for $420.00.
Designed for: Single memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton
Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $3,350.00 (includes charges for the foundation at
Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as Mt. Hope Cemetery)
Granite Type: Select Dark Barre Granite (Barre, Vermont)
Memorial Type: Traditional Double Monument (above average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 46” wide and 38” tall
Finish: The front & back of the tablet are polished, while
the top and ends are natural rock.
Symbolism: The Star of David is the symbol of Divine Protection.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of
the memorial.
Hebrew in graphic is for display purposes only. A Rabbi would be contacted for correct inscription.
Other Options: Add a polished top to the tablet, please add $230.00,
and polished ends for $360.00.
Designed for: Single memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton
Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $3,750.00 (includes the charges for a foundation at Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as for Mt. Hope Cemetery).
Granite Type: Jet Black Granite (India)
Memorial Type: Traditional Double Monument (above average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 54” wide and 44” tall
Finish: The front, back and top of the tablet are polished. The ends are natural rock pitch.
Symbolism: The Star of David, the Menorah, the Ten Commandments and the Shalom Yahrzeit (flame spells Shalom) are traditional Jewish symbols.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of
the memorial.
Designed for: Double memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $6,875.00 (includes charges for foundation at
Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as for Mt.
Hope Cemetery)
Granite Type: Memory Rose Granite (Guenette, Quebec)
Memorial Type: Traditional Double Monument (above average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 54” wide and 44” tall
Finish: The front, back and top of the tablet are polished. The ends are natural rock pitch.
Symbolism: The Star of David is the symbol of Divine Protection. The Menorah and the Yahrzeit are Traditional Jewish symbols. The extra deep Roses symbolize Love and Heavenly Joy.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of the memorial.
The Hebrew is a graphic for display purposes only. A Rabbi would be contacted for the correct inscription.
Other Options: Polish the ends of the Tablet for an additional $430.00
Designed for: Double memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $6,300.00 (includes charges for foundation at Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as for Mt. Hope Cemetery)
Granite Type: Heirloom Coral Granite (India)
Memorial Type: Traditional Double Monument (above average size for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.)
Size: 48” wide and 38” tall
Finish: The entire tablet is polished. The top of base is also polished along with a two inch margin.
Symbolism: The Star of David is the symbol of Divine Protection.
Surname will be engraved on back of the memorial.
Veterans Plaque (niche size) can also be adhered to back of
the memorial.
Other Options: Add English Endearment for an additional $6.00 per letter.
Designed for: Double memorial for Mt. Hope, Stone Road & Britton Road Cemeteries.
Cost: $5,100.00 (includes charges for foundation at Britton & Stone Road Cemeteries as well as for Mt. Hope Cemetery)
