Green Burial Forest Initiative - Israel
Internal report - Yaar Ad
Open PDF
The Expanding Circle
A forest that grows the way forests grow - from the inside out.
The Concept
Forests don't grow in rows. They grow in rings - from one tree to two, from center to edge, decades of accumulating life.
Yaar Ad works on this same principle. Burial begins at the center and expands outward in concentric rings, with each grave marked by a native local tree planted nearby. Over time, what appears as open land becomes a mature grove. The heart of the forest becomes shaded, quiet, difficult to access - and protected.
The Expanding Circle
Burial begins at the center and expands outward - like ripples in a quiet pond
Future simulation. This shows how the forest may develop over time under an early planning model. The figures are estimates and are not based on a specific site that has been acquired or approved. The first-phase capacity target is about 3,000 plots; interim figures describe a growth scenario only.
1,180עצים · ~40 דונם
A quarter century. The oaks reach 8-12 meters, and something delicate happens at the heart of the forest: the first rings, visited less often, begin returning to nature. Birds nest, hedgehogs and gazelles move between the trees. This is not forgetting - it is the circle of life.
Goldfinches nest in the older branches. Some now visit for the forest itself.
EcologyNesting birds and a diverse herb layer. About 18 tons of CO₂ a year - more carbon than everyone buried here produces in a full year of everyday life.
Halacha & Tech1,180 trees = 1,180 active GPS points
The Planned Yaar Ad Model vs. the Traditional Cemetery
Two ways to say goodbye. The Yaar Ad column describes a planned model, subject to site selection and licensing.
| Metric | Traditional Cemetery | Yaar Ad Forest |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | Headstone rows, concrete, white gravel | Mediterranean grove - oaks, terebinths |
| What happens to body | Wood/metal coffin, isolated from soil | Direct return to earth - shrouds only |
| CO₂ (kg) | 150-300 kg (coffin, construction) | Negative - tree absorbs carbon 100+ yrs |
| Space per person | 2-4 m² permanent concrete | One tree in 100+ m² living landscape |
| Family visits | Sun, concrete, endless rows | Shade, silence, nature - like a film scene |
| Cost | $5,000-$20,000 | Not yet set - to be determined after site approval and licensing. Early-interest subscribers may receive preferred pricing. |
| Legal protection | Municipal regulations - changeable | Planned model: restrictive covenant in the Land Registry + public trust (under legal review, not yet registered) |
The targets we set for phase one
0
planned plots in Phase 1
0
dunams of land required
0+
multi-year legal protection - model under review
0
design principle: zero concrete
Technical Specifications
Guiding Requirements and Standards
Burial depth1.3 meters (Ministry of Health standard)
Grave spacing60 cm minimum (Halakhic standard)
Tree speciesPalestine Oak / Terebinth (non-fruit-bearing)
Tree-to-grave distance2.5 meters minimum from center
MarkingMetal marker + GPS chip + digital registry
ExcavationManual only - no heavy machinery
Planned and Under Review
Planned locationJudean Foothills - under review, not yet approved
Legal protectionPlanned model: restrictive covenant (Tabu) + public trust (not yet registered)
How do you find the grave when the forest grows?
Initially, a small metal marker with a passive GPS chip is placed near the tree. Over the years, as the marker weathers, the coordinates are already stored permanently in the registry. An app guides families directly to the right tree - even after fifty years.
Native Israeli Tree Species
The proposed plan examines planting non-fruit forest species near graves. Native fruit trees, such as olive and carob, are intended for consideration along forest paths and edges only. Final species selection will consider climate fit, drought resistance, ecological contribution, and qualified Halakhic guidance.
Olive
Olea europaea
The timeless symbol of the Land of Israel. An evergreen tree with a twisted trunk and silvery leaves. Lives for centuries and even millennia, its roots connecting generations. Deep cultural and religious significance.
Region
Judean Foothills, Judean Mountains, Galilee
Drought Resistance
Excellent - highly drought-resistant, adapts to long dry seasons
Canopy Growth
10yr: 2-3m | 25yr: 4-6m | 50yr: 7-9m
Source reading
Fruit tree - never planted above graves. Planted along forest paths and edges only, at full halachic distance from graves
Palestine Oak
Quercus calliprinos
The dominant tree of Mediterranean maquis. Prickly leaves, twisted trunk, lives for centuries. Provides dense shade and habitat for dozens of animal species.
Region
Judean Foothills, Galilee, Carmel
Drought Resistance
Excellent - survives on rainfall alone after 2 years
Canopy Growth
10yr: 2-3m | 25yr: 5-7m | 50yr: 10-12m
Source reading
Permitted - acorns are not human food
Terebinth
Pistacia palaestina
A broad-canopy deciduous tree, companion to the oak in natural maquis. Spectacular autumn colors in red-orange. Small inedible fruits.
Region
Judean Foothills, Carmel, Galilee
Drought Resistance
Excellent - deep root system, highly drought-resistant
Canopy Growth
10yr: 3-4m | 25yr: 6-8m | 50yr: 10-12m
Source reading
Permitted - fruit is not suitable for human consumption
Lentisk
Pistacia lentiscus
A large evergreen shrub or small tree. Widespread in Mediterranean maquis. Particularly resistant to drought and wind.
Region
Judean Foothills, Coastal Plain
Drought Resistance
Excellent - evergreen shrub/tree, extremely hardy
Canopy Growth
10yr: 1.5-2.5m | 25yr: 3-4m | 50yr: 4-5m
Source reading
Permitted - fruits are not for human consumption
Carob
Ceratonia siliqua
A large evergreen tree providing heavy shade. Its pods are sweet and edible. Planted 5+ meters from graves due to its fruit.
Region
Judean Foothills, Judean Mountains
Drought Resistance
Excellent - semi-desert tree, survives harsh conditions
Canopy Growth
10yr: 3-4m | 25yr: 6-8m | 50yr: 8-10m
Source reading
Fruit tree - never planted above graves. Planted along forest paths and edges only, at full halachic distance from graves
Tabor Oak
Quercus ithaburensis
A deciduous broad-canopy oak, one of Israel's most impressive trees. Open spreading crown, golden autumn colors. Grows relatively fast for an oak.
Region
Judean Foothills, Lower Galilee
Drought Resistance
Good - relatively hardy, prefers deep soil
Canopy Growth
10yr: 3-5m | 25yr: 8-10m | 50yr: 12-15m
Source reading
Permitted - acorns are not for human consumption
Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis
An aromatic evergreen tree. Its leaves are used as a spice. Grows in moist maquis, adding an aromatic layer to the forest.
Region
Galilee, Carmel, Judean Mountains
Drought Resistance
Moderate - prefers moisture but adapts
Canopy Growth
10yr: 2-3m | 25yr: 4-6m | 50yr: 6-8m
Source reading
Permitted - leaves for spice, fruit not for eating
Storax
Styrax officinalis
A small to medium deciduous tree, blooming in spring with fragrant white flowers. Its ornamental beauty adds seasonal charm to the forest.
Region
Galilee, Carmel, Judean Mountains
Drought Resistance
Moderate-good - suitable for open maquis
Canopy Growth
10yr: 2-3m | 25yr: 4-5m | 50yr: 5-7m
Source reading
Permitted - fruit is not for human consumption
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And many more species
Final species selection is based on soil characteristics, local microclimate, and family preferences
All Halakhic classifications on this page are the team's independent interpretation of open sources and are not an authorized rabbinic ruling.
Sources and Research
The documents below are internal Yaar Ad reports; the external sources they draw on are listed on the research page.