The cabinet in 2008 approved granting a monetary incentive to families agreeing to permit burying their loved ones above ground after the Chief Rabbinate of Israel ruled this is in line with Halacha. Chevra Kadishas are complaining of a lack of land for kvura and the growing problem has led to begin burying people above ground.

I n 2009, the cabinet discussed serious funding for the project, realizing it must find a solution to the burial shortage. This is particularly pertinent in the center of the country, cities including Petach Tikvah.

In 2012, the Kehillos Yerushalayim Chevra Kadisha, the largest in the capital, looked into burial caves, catacombs, as was reported by YWN-ISRAEL. At that time, the chevra kadisha’s director Chananya Shachor, explained he hopes the idea is approved towards solving the burial plot shortage.

MK (Yahadut HaTorah) R’ Moshe Gafne is however not pleased with the new situation, which he explains it too expensive as is documented in the study presented to the Knesset Law Committee. He feels that while the Ministry of Religious Services favors the plan, “it is not in the public’s interest”, adding “there are many who want to be buried in the ground, and are willing to be interred in a more distant location and this should be permitted.”

Minister of Religious Services (Shas) Yaakov Margi added “in the past year this has been discussed numerous times. We are seeking alternative solution. There are a number of areas which we can vote on that are not confined and will not be used in the next 100 years. There is no reason that cemeteries cannot be built on those areas.”

In recent months there have been pashkavilim against the multi-level kvura, decrying the concept as “against Halacha”. Kikar Shabbat adds there has also been a letter publicized stating above-ground kvura “is not viewed as kvura”, signed by HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Halevy Wosner Shlita and HaGaon HaRav Nissim Karelitz Shlita.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)