Beit Olam East – New Jewish Cemetery
Questions and Answers
What is Beit Olam East?
Beit Olam East is an expansion of Beit Olam Cemetery. Although the original cemetery is only 6 years old and was expected to meet the needs of Metrowest Jewish families for 30 years, it is now almost completely sold out. Beit Olam East is located just a stones throw away from Beit Olam Cemetery, on 9 acres of beautifully serene rolling meadows. The new cemetery will have an entrance from Rt. 126, approximately 1 mile north of Wayland Center.
What makes a cemetery “Jewish?”
A Jewish cemetery is owned and governed by a legally incorporated Jewish cemetery association whose by-laws reflect Jewish tradition, custom and law. A Jewish cemetery is separated by a fence or other type of barrier from land used for any other purpose, even other cemeteries.
What makes the Beit Olam cemeteries special?
The Beit Olam cemeteries are among the very few Jewish cemeteries in the suburbs west of Boston and the only Jewish cemeteries in Metrowest with an interfaith marriage section welcoming family members of a non-Jewish spouse.
Like Beit Olam, the expanded “East” cemetery welcomes interfaith families, as well as families who wish to be buried according to the “halachic tradition” which calls for Jews to be buried only in the presence of other Jews. The Beit Olam cemeteries provide for separate sections in an equal, respectful and inclusive manner. A visitor to Beit Olam today, cannot easily see the different sections, but the subtle landscaping design, enables these sections to remain distinct and meet the biblical regulations governing Jewish cemeteries.
Who can be buried at Beit Olam East?
Jewish individuals and their immediate families become members of the East Beit Olam Cemetery Association when they purchase grave sites and agree to the Association’s by-laws. There are no synagogue or town affiliation requirements.
How much does a Beit Olam East grave site cost?
Grave sites at Beit Olam East currently are $3,500 per site.
I do not need a grave site. I do not even want to think about this…why should I purchase one now?
The thought of losing a loved one is terribly painful. However, the emotional burden of searching for a grave site when one is suffering from the loss of a family member can be even more daunting. Discussing your plans about how you and your family want to handle your final wishes (i.e. wills, finances, guardians for the children, organ transplantation, etc.) and where you want to rest is a responsibility better handled now than in times of need.
I would like purchase in Beit Olam East but have plots elsewhere, what can I do?
Jewish law does not permit Jews to re-sell grave sites at a profit. You have several options. First, you may sell your grave site(s) back to that cemetery’s Association, at the price you paid, so long as there is a buyer willing to purchase. Or, if you have existing lots you chose not to use, you may donate them to JCAM and take a tax deduction for the fair market value of these sites. Often this tax savings exceeds the original cost of the grave sites. In Massachusetts, JCAM as part of its non-profit mission, maintains an inventory of donated grave sites across its 100+ cemeteries and provides grave sites for indigent Jews, maintaining them respectfully, in perpetuity.
If we reserve lots in Beit Olam East but have a family death prior to this cemetery’s construction, what happens?
As a contingency, JCAM has reserved grave sites in the existing Beit Olam for this contingency should this need arise.
Why is JCAM building a new cemetery?
Demographic trends compel JCAM to act today in securing for the current and future cemetery needs of our Jewish community. First, the Jewish population of Metrowest is growing at a faster pace than other parts of Massachusetts. Secondly, the number of interfaith families who choose a Jewish cemetery, is on the rise. Beit Olam was originally conceived to meet these two requirements. The overwhelming success of Beit Olam (it has virtually sold out in 6 years, 24 years ahead of Plan) further confirms the necessity to act now.
As the price of undeveloped land in Metrowest continues to skyrocket, and the availability of land zoned for cemetery use in Metrowest dwindles, no individual synagogue or other Jewish institution has the resources to invest seed money to secure this land as a Jewish cemetery for the next 100 years.
Please contact JCAM if you have additional questions or are interested in purchasing a grave site at Beit Olam East.
JCAM (Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts)
189 Wells Avenue, Third Floor
Newton Centre, Massachusetts 02459
Telephone: 617-244-6509
Toll Free: 800-752-JCAM
www.jcam.org
Links to More Information About
Beit Olam East Expansion Plans
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Request
Information
to Reserve a Site
at Beit Olam East!
Map to Beit Olam
East
Cemetery