Civil & Secular Burial in Israel
A vision for a civil cemetery that could enable a ceremony of your choice, subject to licensing and establishment of the site.
Every person in Israel has a legal right to be buried according to their worldview - secular, civil or personal - without a religious ceremony that does not fit them and without the Chevra Kadisha. This right has existed in law since 1996, but in practice there is almost nowhere to exercise it. Yaar Ad is developing a vision for a civil-ecological cemetery; no site has been selected, no operating entity has been established, and no burial license has been issued.
What is civil burial?
Civil burial is burial not managed by the Chevra Kadisha, letting the family shape the ceremony themselves - fully secular, traditional, or a personal blend. There is no religious-affiliation requirement and no binding liturgy. The place is open to everyone, regardless of belief.
Secular burial is a form of civil burial in which the ceremony is held without religious elements: personal farewells, music, poetry and readings - led by a family member, friend or ceremony leader.
Your right - what the law says
The Right to Alternative Civil Burial Law (1996) establishes a framework for burial at a licensed civil cemetery. Subject to project licensing, Yaar Ad is working to enable families to exercise eligibility for National Insurance burial grants; until licensing is complete, this is planned eligibility rather than a guarantee.
What a civil ceremony at Yaar Ad looks like
- ●Under the plan, the family could choose who leads: a family member, a close friend, or a professional ceremony leader.
- ●The proposed model could allow personal content such as farewells, music, poetry, and readings, subject to applicable law and site arrangements.
- ●A mixed ceremony, such as Kaddish alongside a beloved song, could be considered according to the family preference and approved arrangements.
- ●The proposed burial is direct earth burial with a living tree instead of a headstone, subject to site selection, licensing, and completion of planning.
The letter of the law
The right to civil burial is not our interpretation - it is written in law. Here are the exact sections. Nothing here is legal advice.
A person is entitled to be buried according to their worldview in an alternative civil cemetery, if they so choose
The right the initiative rests on: every person may be buried according to their worldview, at an alternative civil cemetery.
The minister shall designate a location, subject to all law, to serve as an alternative civil cemetery
The section obligating the state to designate a site for an alternative civil cemetery. That allocation and licensing process is exactly the stage Yaar Ad is at.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you be buried without the Chevra Kadisha in Israel?
Yes. The Alternative Civil Burial Law (1996) allows burial in a licensed civil cemetery, without the Chevra Kadisha, according to the family's choice.
What is the difference between civil and secular burial?
Civil burial is the legal framework for burial outside the religious establishment. Secular burial is a ceremony without religious elements within that framework. The planned Yaar Ad model aims to enable both choices, subject to licensing.
Does National Insurance cover civil burial?
Eligibility for burial grants is subject to legal conditions and cemetery licensing. For Yaar Ad, we are working to enable this after project licensing; until then, it is planned eligibility rather than a guarantee.
Want civil burial on your own terms?
Leave your details and we will update you on how Yaar Ad aims to enable a personal, civil, and respectful ceremony as licensing progresses.
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