At St. Charles Monuments of Long Island, we offer a wide variety of Jewish monuments, foot stones, memorials, headstones, and etchings. Our team works closely with you to ensure every detail looks perfect while honoring your Jewish heritage. We customize all our monuments with Jewish symbols and inscriptions.
We’ll guide you in selecting the right headstone materials and styles. With over 50 years of experience, we help families choose traditional Jewish designs and comply with cemetery requirements. Our location is just south of the Beth Moses Cemetery and less than a hundred feet from the Wellwood Cemetery.
Losing a loved one is never easy. Our goal is to simplify the memorial ordering process. If you have a family plot and want a matching foot stone, call our office. We’ll visit the cemetery, examine the existing stones, and match the size, finish, and details. You’ll also receive a computerized layout to ensure full satisfaction with your memorial.
Single Jewish Headstones
Single Jewish headstones honor the unique life of the departed. They often provide more space for inscriptions or symbols. Families can later add a second matching stone.
Inscriptions typically include the individual’s name, relationship (such as beloved wife or husband), birth and death dates, and a personal epitaph. The extra space also allows for meaningful symbols and prayers. St. Charles Monuments crafts each headstone to reflect tradition and personal faith.
Double Jewish Headstones
Double Jewish headstones represent a shared life and demonstrate that arrangements have already been made for the spouse. They bring peace of mind to the family.
These headstones often feature the family name at the top, with two individual epitaphs beneath. Traditional inscriptions for each person appear on either side. Our collection includes beautifully designed double headstones that respect Jewish tradition and express family faith.
Jewish Headstone Inscriptions
“Matzevah” is the Hebrew word for inscribing a gravestone. Inscriptions serve to honor and remember the deceased, reflecting the belief that the soul continues after death. Jewish tradition teaches that a burial isn’t complete until the inscription is added.
Typical inscriptions follow a specific order: a Hebrew acronym for “here is buried,” the deceased’s given and Hebrew names, date of death (and sometimes birth), a personal description, and a prayer in Hebrew. Most headstones end with an acronym meaning “may his/her soul be bound in the bond of everlasting life.” While Judaism doesn’t regulate monument size or shape, cemeteries often have specific rules.
Traditional Jewish Headstone Symbols
Jewish headstones often feature meaningful Hebrew symbols or pictures. These symbols help tell the story of the individual’s life and spirituality. Like inscriptions, symbols serve as a lasting tribute to the deceased.
Some symbols, such as a menorah, reflect faith, while others represent personal traits or age at death. For example, a Star of David is commonly used for Jewish men, while broken branches or candles may symbolize a life cut short. Families can choose from hundreds of traditional Jewish symbols to personalize the headstone.
Sitting Shiva
Sitting Shiva is an essential part of Jewish mourning. For seven days after burial, immediate family—parents, spouses, children, and siblings—gather in the deceased’s home to grieve together.
To prepare for Shiva, leave the front door unlocked to maintain a peaceful environment. Light a candle as soon as you return from the cemetery and keep it burning for seven days. Cover all mirrors to encourage self-reflection rather than appearance. Many families leave a pitcher of water outside so visitors can wash their hands before entering. Set aside a space for shoes, as footwear—especially leather—is not worn during Shiva.
Unveiling Ceremony
Our packages include a special cloth for covering the monument. Most families keep the monument covered for at least 30 days. The Unveiling Ceremony usually takes place 11 months after the burial, although some families may choose an earlier date based on the Rabbi’s guidance.
During the unveiling, you can expect:
- Recitation of Psalms
- A brief eulogy
- The uncovering of the Headstone
- The El Maleh Rahamim Prayer
- The Mourner’s Kaddish Prayer
Questions?
We understand the rules and regulations of all Jewish cemeteries in Long Island, New York. If you have questions about selecting the right location or materials, please reach out to us.
