Beit Olam Cemetery

Beit Olam Garden is a Jewish section (demarcated section of consecrated ground required for the purpose of Jewish burial) within Glenview Memorial Gardens, in which Jews and non-Jews can be buried side by side.

Beit Olam is a section of Glenview Memorial Gardens at 7541 Hwy 50, Woodbridge, Ontario (near Pearson Airport, just north of Steeles). An area with 200 plots has been developed for various communities. There is room to eventually accommodate 2,000 plots. Glenview Memorial Gardens is responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the cemetery.

Members of the DJC can purchase plots directly from Glenview Memorial Gardens through our contact, Ryan Szigeti 416-990-1899.

Costs:

*Note – prices are subject to change.

Plots

1 single depth burial plot (includes perpetual care): $4,300 + HST

Memorialization

• 24×14 bronze marker on pillow granite base for 1 person (includes general maintenance): $5,500 + HST
• 36x13bronze marker on pillow granite base for 2 people (centered between both plots, includes general maintenance): $7,930 + HST

Interment fee

(Opening/closing of the grave) for 1 single depth plot: $1,385 + HST

Payment Options

• Payment in full (major credit cards, cheque, cash, debit)
• 25% down payment and balance within 90 days (no financing charge)
• 20% down payment and remaining balance on a monthly payment plan over 1-5 years (includes 5.24% interest and is open-ended)

Purchase of plots, memorialization and internment fees can be pre-paid.

1. Who May Be Buried in the DJC Section

The DJC Section of Beit Olam Garden would be created within Beit Olam Garden for members of the DJC in good standing for at least two years and their immediate family. Plots will only be sold to members of the DJC, for use by them, their spouses, children, spouses of their children, siblings and parents (ie. people with a Jewish connection to a member. The person for whom the plots are purchased will be designated at the time of purchase. The purchasers of plots may only transfer their plots to members of the DJC for use by them and people with a Jewish connection to them, and the people for whom the plots are purchased will be designated at the time of the transfer. The Rabbi of the DJC may, in his or her discretion, extend the definition of ‘Jewish connection’ to individuals having such other relationships with a member as the Rabbi determines.

2. Jewish Sabbath and Holidays

In keeping with the Jewish nature of Beit Olam Gardens, no funerals will take place on the Jewish Sabbath or on Major Jewish Festivals (defined as the first 2 and last 2 days of Passover, 2 days of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, the 2 days of Shavuot, the first 2 days of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah). Arrangements for purchases or burials will not be made on the Jewish Sabbath or on a Major Jewish Festival.

3. Jewish Practices

Burials shall be made in accordance with Jewish Practice, or, in the case of the burial of individuals who are not Jewish, in a non-denominational manner which does not conflict with Jewish Practice. When questions concerning the interpretation of Jewish Practices or special cases in connection with the DJC Section arise, Glenview agrees to consult with the Rabbi of the DJC (or his or her designate). Glenview may also consult with the person designated by the Rabbinic Advisory Board.

4. Conduct of Burial Service

All burials shall be conducted by a member of Jewish clergy, and only Jewish or non-denominational liturgy or symbolism shall be included in the burial service. A member of DJC Clergy (or their designate) will officiate at all funerals for individuals being buried in the DJC Section, provided that the Rabbi may designate others to officiate at, or participate in, the ceremonies according to Rabbinic discretion.               

For non-Jewish members of the DJC, funeral services can be conducted elsewhere by an officiant of one’s choice, while the burial in Beit Olam Gardens would be conducted by the rabbi of the DJC.

5. Preparation of the Body

All Jewish individuals buried in the DJC Section shall be accorded the traditional Jewish burial rites, including taharah (preparations by the Chevra Kaddisha) and tachrichim (dressed in the traditional burial shroud.)

Non-Jewish persons interred in the DJC Section must be prepared for burial in a manner consistent with Jewish principles of respect for the deceased and simplicity, while any funeral home may prepare the body. Bodies must be washed with soap and water. There must be no invasive procedures. No jewelry or other items may be placed in the coffin with the body. No religious articles, ornaments, printed texts or representations of any non-Jewish religious or philosophical system may be placed in the casket.

No person buried in the DJC Section shall be embalmed, except if embalmment is required by the jurisdiction in which such person died, or in order to transport the body from another country to Canada for purposes of burial.

All caskets must be in accordance with Jewish Practice. Caskets must be made of wood or another organic material, containing no metal nails or metal hinges. No casket shall contain any religious symbols, words, phrases or references relating to any religion other than Judaism.

Note regarding cremation: In accordance with Jewish values and commitments to treat the body with honour and return it whole to the earth, cremation is not a Jewish practice. There are some voices in the Jewish community that do advocate for cremation. Rabbi Miriam is happy to discuss questions and choices on the matter. If a DJC member chooses cremation, Rabbi Miriam will officiate at a funeral, with the casket and body present, with cremation taking place after that funeral service.

For more information – www.myjewishlearning.com/article/judaism-on-cremation

6. Permitted Monuments

No monument shall be permitted which contains a design and/or inscription contrary to Jewish Practices. For greater certainty, no monument shall contain any religious symbols, words, phrases or references relating to any religion other than Judaism and no human likeness (except hands), nor any animal likeness (except stylized lions or doves) shall be part of the design of any monument. Subject to Rabbinic discretion, no language may be used on a monument other than English and Hebrew. All monument design and inscription must be approved by the Rabbi or her/his designate.

7. Interment in Plot

There will be only one interment per plot. Cremated remains must be buried in a regular sized plot.

8. Notice and Timing of Burial

Glenview will be provided with reasonable notice of all interments in the DJC Section. Not less than 24 hours’ notice will be given of an interment on a weekday and not less than 48 hours’ notice will be given of an interment on a Sunday. No overtime fee will be charged for burials on Sundays between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

9. General Provisions

The price for plots within Beit Olam Gardens will be clearly published.

The Danforth Jewish Circle and Glenview will each inform the other of all requests for interment purchases in the DJC Section.

Subsequent purchases of Memorialization and other products will not require notice be provided to the DJC. The DJC Rabbi will review designs for Memorials to confirm correct spelling of any Hebrew names or other writing.

These Standards of Practice, Rules and Regulations governing the DJC Section of Beit Olam Gardens may be reviewed on an annual basis or on such other basis as Glenview and the DJC may agree from time to time.