The stone setting ceremony is a simple graveside religious service marking the formal setting of a loved one’s headstone at the cemetery. It is a brief ceremony which includes the reading of a few psalms and the Kaddish and serves as the formal unveiling of the stone.

Rabbi Rebecca Qassim Birk will be happy to provide guidance on the arrangements and suggest inscriptions. In the first instance, contact should be made with Liberal Judaism, who will arrange the time and date for the service with you, the cemetery and Rabbi Qassim Birk.

The ceremony is usually held at the end of the avelut (mourning) period of 11 months following the death, but sometimes earlier. We can arrange for the stone setting before this time according to the family’s wishes.

If you would like to find out a bit more about Jewish headstones (matzevot) please call Rabbi Qassim Birk or you can read this website page.