Why rocks on tombstones

Please read some of the letters we receive on a regular basis from families we serve. Learn more about the Jewish tradition of sitting shiva to mourn a loved one following a funeral. Learn about shiva through our partner shiva.

Star of David Memorial Chapels provides an easy-to-use, comprehensive resource for family members, friends, and the community to honor the passing of loved ones. Star of David Memorial Chapels partners with shiva. The planning center guides families, friends and coordinators through the shiva process helping to simplify bereavement meals, collection of contributions and more.

Learn about being prepared and informed when death occurs to your loved one. The staff at Star of David Funeral Home is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Complete step-by-step driving instructions from eastern or western Long Island, as well as out of state. Common explanations include: A warning to Jewish priests known as Kohanim During the times of the Temple in Jerusalem, Jews began marking graves with piles of rocks as a way of warning passing kohanim that they should stay back.

As awareness of this ancient Judaic custom has spread—thanks in large part to the Internet—even people from other religious faiths have embraced the idea of leaving visitor stones at the burial sites of their loved ones.

Depending upon the gravesite, it is not uncommon to see a few pebbles or rocks to a veritable "mountain" of visitor stones denoting previous visits from family members, friends and loved ones who honored the deceased with their presence. Not unlike many of the traditions, customs and superstitions surrounding modern funeral , burial, and mourning practices, the origin of mourners leaving pebbles, stones or rocks at the site of Jewish graves is unfortunately lost to time.

Many theories exist, however, such as:. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. My Jewish Learning. Why do Jews put stones on graves? Jewish Virtual Library. Death and bereavement in Judaism: putting stones on Jewish graves. The Schechter Institutes. Why is it customary to place a stone on a grave Yoreh Deah ? Updated January It is a Jewish custom for those mourning to to place a single stone on top of the grave of a friend or loved one.

The stones are typically found somewhere in the cemetery by those mourning. Stones being placed on a grave lets the family know that someone cared enough to visit the grave.

It communicates that the loved one is still thought about and missed. The stones on a grave is a physical way to honor the deceased. Stones last longer physically than flowers. They are everlasting and permanent like the memory of the deceased. Although the custom of placing them on a grave probably draws upon pagan customs, the stones also symbolize the permanence of memory. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and bring you ads that might interest you.

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