First time at a Jewish cemetery?
Visitor Guidance
The cemetery grounds are a quiet place of reflection and remembrance. We ask you to follow Jewish customs during your visit.
We do not eat or drink, play music, ride bicycles or exercise dogs in the cemetery.
You are welcome to explore the cemetery. We recommend you stay on the paths. Graves are marked with surrounds so that we do not walk over them. Do take care not to touch the memorials and monuments, as many are old and some may be unstable.
Take care in the grounds.
What happens if there’s a funeral?
This is a working cemetery, with about 25 to 30 burials a year. Our custom is to bury the deceased as soon as possible, often within 24 hours. The United Synagogue does not advertise upcoming funerals. In the event of a funeral, the cemetery may be closed at short notice.
You may find a memorial service taking place in the grounds. Family members may be saying prayers at the grave of a loved one. If you see this, we ask that you keep a respectful distance.
Customs
Jewish people will mark a grave with a pebble to show they have visited. You may also like to leave a small stone on a memorial that moves you.
Jewish men and married women cover their heads as a mark of respect.
Before leaving the grounds, Jewish people wash their hands under running water. Washbasins can be found behind the Mortuary and outside the Visitor Centre entrance, if you would like to do the same.
