We have arranged with Oheb Shalom Cemetery in Hillside to sell plots to families of our members who wish to plan for interfaith burials. This partnership ensures that families seeking interfaith burial options have access to suitable plots that respect and honor the diverse religious backgrounds of loved ones. For more detailed information, please visit www.ohebshalomcemetery.org.

The plots may be used only for the burial of Jews, as defined by the rabbi of Congregation Agudath Israel.

When the Cemetery Association was first established, it bought plots at Menorah Cemetery, most of the synagogue’s burials have been there. Those original blocks, which we call Blocks A, B, C, and D, are almost fully subscribed, except for a few scattered single plots. However, plots are available in Blocks F and G. Please note that Block F requires footstones and does not allow headstones, whereas Block G can accommodate headstones and/or footstones. ​ Plots are also available at King Solomon Memorial Park, where footstones with bronze plaques are required. ​ The Cemetery Association currently has no available plots at New Mount Zion Cemetery.

You can transfer the ownership of your plots to another member of your family by contacting the Cemetery Association. If you wish to transfer your plots to anyone other than a family member, regardless of whether they are members of Congregation Agudath Israel, the Cemetery Association must repurchase the plots and resell them to the new owners.

The synagogue itself does not engage in the sale of cemetery plots. Instead, this responsibility falls to the Congregation Agudath Israel Cemetery Association, an independent entity dedicated to providing cemetery plots to our synagogue members. This Cemetery Association has been operational nearly as long as the synagogue has been established. ​ Buying cemetery plots is easy. Just contact us to get the process started.

You are simply buying the right to use the plot for burial. Please note that the cemetery's fee for opening the grave at the time of the burial is not included in the plot purchase price. Additionally, the costs of services provided by a funeral director and the expenses for erecting a monument on the grave are separate and not covered by the cemetery plot purchase. We recommend discussing these additional costs with the respective service providers to understand the full scope of the expenses involved.

We offer a repurchase option if you no longer wish to retain the cemetery plots you purchased from us. We will buy back the plots from you at any time for the price you initially paid, provided no monuments have been erected on the plots. This policy ensures that you have a flexible option should your circumstances or plans change, reflecting our commitment to supporting our members’ needs with integrity and respect.

The best time to buy plots is before you need them. We will work with you and your family, of course, to arrange for a cemetery plot when a death occurs or is imminent. However, bear in mind that it is always much easier and helpful to our loved ones if arrangements have been made in advance.

Once you select the plots you want, we will send you an invoice, which you can pay by check or credit card. The Cemetery Association accepts Visa and MasterCard. We are happy to work out extended payment plans for members with financial hardships. ​ Within a couple of months of receiving your full payment, the Cemetery Association will send you a deed stating that you own the plots.

The Cemetery Association does not maintain a standalone cemetery; instead, we own blocks of burial plots within three prominent local Jewish cemeteries. These cemeteries are Menorah Cemetery, the Jewish section of East Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton; King Solomon Memorial Park, also located in Clifton; and New Mount Zion Cemetery, the Jewish section of Hillside Cemetery in Lyndhurst. Each cemetery upholds the traditions and values that are important to our community, ensuring a dignified and respectful resting place for our loved ones.

Those seeking religious guidance on issues related to cremation or the burial of cremated remains should consult the rabbis of Congregation Agudath Israel. The Cemetery Association will then follow up with the family to assist.

Burial plots are available for purchase to members of Congregation Agudath Israel in good standing. Additionally, the Cemetery Association extends this eligibility to members' immediate families and the immediate families of their immediate families. By “immediate families,” we mean parents, current and former spouses, siblings, and children.

To ease the burden on your family immediately following your death, we encourage you to consider making prearrangements with whichever funeral chapel you choose so that your family members who must make decisions during their time of initial grief will have a clear vision of how to proceed. Jewish Memorial Chapel does not require payment for prearrangements. The funeral director will gather the necessary documents and details, such as Hebrew names and funeral and casket preferences, which you may update at any time. These details will be of tremendous help and guidance when your family comes to plan the actual funeral.

King Solomon Memorial Park does not charge a separate fee for care. At Menorah Cemetery and New Mount Zion Cemetery, care can be paid either annually or as a one-time "endowment." Please get in touch with the cemeteries to obtain their fee schedules and to inquire about the services they offer.

The Cemetery Association requires the erection of a monument within two years after a burial occurs. We do not recommend any specific monument makers, but we can provide a list of local providers our members have used in the past. Monument makers should be able to quote a price that includes the cemetery's charge to pour a foundation for the monument. Additionally, to ensure that the selected monument aligns with the cemetery’s overall look and regulations, they should be able to inform you about any size and style restrictions that apply. The monument maker will need to obtain a permit from the Cemetery Association. The Cemetery Association does not charge a fee to issue the permit.

The Cemetery Association highly recommends Jewish Memorial Chapel in Clifton. Jewish Memorial Chapel is a nonprofit organization whose board consists of delegates from local synagogues, including Congregation Agudath Israel. Notably, prices at Jewish Memorial Chapel are generally lower than those at other funeral chapels, often by a significant margin. To help ease the burden on your family, we encourage you to consider making prearrangements with Jewish Memorial Chapel or whichever funeral chapel you choose. For more details, please reach out to the funeral chapel directly.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions.

We gratefully accept donations of cash and most securities. If you have purchased a cemetery plot from us that you no longer need, you can also donate it back to us. Regrettably, we cannot accept donations of plots not purchased from us.