Cemetery
Beth El’s cemetery, located at 84th & ‘L’ Streets, was established in 1939 and is situated on three acres. In May of 1999, the Harold & Etta Epstein Family Chapel of Remembrance was dedicated on the grounds, enabling congregants to hold indoor services at the cemetery. For more information, contact the synagogue office at 402-492-8550.
Cemetery Committee Chairs - Bruce Kutler and Bob Belgrade
Cemetery Regulations
1. Purchasers of lots shall receive a Ground Certificate, signed by the President and Cemetery Committee Chairman.
2. No person, not even a member of the immediate family (spouse and children) of a lot owner, may be buried in a lot without the written consent of the owner being first deposited with the Cemetery. Such person must meet the requirements for burial, as described in these regulations. However, no such consent shall be valid or accepted by the Cemetery if the owner sells or transfers the lot, whether for money, property or other item of value or not.
3. The sale of lots or portions of lots by owners is not permitted, except to the Cemetery. There are no sales or returns of plots. You can return your plot to Beth El as a donation for the original purchased amount.
4. On January 28, 2014, the Board of Trustees approved a change in Beth El's by-laws, permitting non-Jewish spouses and their dependent children to be buried at Beth El Cemetery. In order to maintain our promise to those already buried at Beth El Cemetery, this new policy will apply to a specific section in the Beth El Cemetery expansion. In that section, interfaith couples will be permitted to be buried, in addition to any of our members who choose to be buried there as well. Questions as to burial rights in the cemetery shall be determined by the Rabbi. Determination of a person to be buried shall be in the sole jurisdiction of the Rabbi.
5. All funerals will be conducted with the dignity and simplicity required by Jewish tradition. These traditions include the use of shrouds and wooden coffins. Procedures offensive to the spirit of Judaism (such as embalming and related procedures) will be permitted only where required by civil law. The burial of cremated remains will not be allowed.
6. The digging of graves is not included in the cost of lots and a charge is to be made for this service.
7. Grave markers are priced separately from plot purchases. This charge will be assessed upon burial at the market price.
8. Markers shall be uniform throughout of the cemetery. Military emblems and holocaust survivor medallions are to be affixed to stones.
9. Graves will not be opened for inspection after interment, except for official investigation.
10. To prevent injury to adjoining lots and to preserve the general beauty of the grounds, no trees, shrubs, flowers or enclosures shall be planted or constructed without permission of the Cemetery.
11. Artificial flowers are not permitted in the cemetery.
12. Watering will be done only by the caretaker.
13. The gate must be closed upon leaving the cemetery.
