Beth Israel Cemetery

Plots

Please note that plots are only available to those who are members in good standing for 4 or more years at one of our participating synagogues: Morristown Jewish Center-Beit Yisrael, or Temple B’nai Or in Morristown, NJ. Plots are available to non-members under special circumstances as determined by the BICA BoD.

Grave Opening / Closing

Payments

Please send check payable to Beth Israel Cemetery Association or BICA and mail to:
Beth Israel Cemetery Association (BICA)
88 East Main Street Suite H #108
Mendham, NJ  07945

If you have any questions, please see Contact Us.

Foundations

All monuments and markers are $3 per square inch.

Local Monument Makers

LOCATION	COMPANY	CONTACT PERSON	PHONE
Morristown	​McKean Monuments	Lorain	(973) 539-2125
East Hanover	McHugh Tully Memorials	Dawn	(973) 887-0530
Dover	Pelaggi Monuments	Margaret	(973) 659-1717
Kenilworth	Raiken Epstein Monuments	Fern and Holly	(908) 245-3400

Monument Rules and Regulations

Foundations: 

*All monuments, markers and plaques require installation on poured concrete foundations must meet BICA regulations.

*All foundations are to terminate below grade and provide a flat/smooth surface for installation.

*BICA will arrange for the installation of ALL  foundations. All foundation charges are to be paid in advance with checks made payable to Beth Israel Cemetery Association. 

*Current foundation cost is $3.00 per sq. inch. (As of 11/2025)

Stones:

Stones’s may be erected for individuals, couples and/or a family stone (A single die (or marker) is designed for one person, while a double (or companion) die is for two people buried side-by-side, usually a couple.)

 In the event of a “family” stone: The family name must be at a minimum of 2” high and the family name must appear on ALL raised or flush markers of individuals in addition to the primary family marker.

The following images/symbols ARE allowed (Subject to approval)

The Star of David

A Menorah

A Candelabra

A Dove

Tablets   

An Olive Branch

Two hands in a blessing position

An Eternal Light

An Ewer

A Heart

Lions of Judah

Professional Occupations

Rainbows

Flowers

Military Branch Symbols

The following images/symbols ARE NOT permitted:

Photographs

Painted or Gilded letters

Ornamental Stones with broken trees; pictorial designs statuary, etc.

Symbols of other religions

Difficult to read lettering

Stones showing stains, tool marks or imperfections are NOT permitted and will be subject to removal.

Natural Rock shall not have large hollows, bulges or sharp edges.

All bases must be of the same color & finish of the monument’s die, to achieve a more uniform look throughout the cemetery.

All bases in the NEW Section shall have sawed backs to achieved a smooth and finished look typically done with a saw.

No above grade structures or objects are to be made of concrete or similar material.

The following Stones ARE Permitted: (Subject to approval)

Light colored granite of high quality grade

Gray

Wausau Red

Mountain Rose

North American Pink

Canadian Pink

Canadian Mahogany

Dakota Mahogany.

The following Stones that ARE NOT Permitted:

Black stones or very dark stones such as Evergreen

Imperial

Laurentian

Bahama Blue 

Charcoal Gray

Marble

**Stones not conforming to the rules will be subject to removal.

If raised letters are used, they should be well raised and the high polish should come flush to the letter edges. No shallow cut letters are allowed. NOTE: Polished letters in a sunk panel must be well raised.        

Monument and Marker Specifications

Monuments shall have a maximum height of 42” (3’6”).

Single die and double die bases are permitted.  (A single die (or marker) is designed for one person, while a double (or companion) die is for two people buried side-by-side, usually a couple.)

Flat granite marker with bronze or granite backer are permitted.  (A backer is a secondary, often contrasting piece of granite placed behind the main die to add color, height, or a more dramatic, layered appearance to the monument.

No Monoliths, Bevel or Slant markers are permitted.

No photo, etchings, or photo medallions allowed.  No color is allowed.

Flush markers are to be located next to the pathway. This means every maker is aligned in a row and not potentially presenting a zig zagged design.  At Beth Israel we have the paved walkway and grass covered pathways between rows.  We want markers to line the grass pathways in straight line.

A double grave may have one double stand up monument, two single monuments, two single foot stones, a double foot stone or a combination of a central stand up double marker and foot stone combination.

Double Monument Measurements Die 3’-0” x ‘0-8” x 2’-4” (36” x 8” x 28”)

Base 3’-10” x 1’-2” x 0’-8” (46” x 14” x 8”)

Base back must be a sawn/smooth finish, and the base’s top finish must match the die’s finish of polish orsteel. Die and base set must not exceed 3’-0” in total height.

Single Monument Measurements Die 1’-10” x 0’-8” x 2’-4” (22” x 8” x 28”)

Base 2’-4” x 1’-0” x 0’-8” (28” x 12” x 8”)

Granite Foot Stone Measurements Single 2’-0” x 1’-0” x 0’-4” (24” x 12” x 4”)

Double 3’-8” x 1’-2” x 0’-4” (44” x 14” x 4”)

Bronze on Granite Backer Measurements Single Bronze 24” x 12” Mounted on 2’-4” x 1’-4” x 0’-4” Granite Backer

Double Bronze 44” x 14” Mounted on 3’-4” x 1’-6” x 0’-4” Granite Backer

ALL monument bases must have a sawed back (This finish is less glossy than a polished one, providing a matte, natural, and smooth appearance, and it is commonly used for the sides and back of headstones or other monuments) so it can be placed up against the monument in the next row.

Holidays and Grounds and Insurance:

No work shall be conducted or deliveries made on Saturdays and Jewish Holidays.

All work on Fridays must be completed by 2pm. Work must be suspended during any interment or religious services.

For contractors and providers in particular:

All damage to grass, walkways and edging are to be repaired by the contractor immediately. Any repairs not completed will be billed to the contractor and will be barred from the cemetery grounds until the bill is paid. All debris and rubbish must also be removed immediately.

Trucks and their companies are responsible for any damage caused. Monument makers are to provide proper moving equipment to minimize collateral damage.

NO work shall be performed when the ground is too soft so as to not cause additional damage.

All contractors, sub-contractors, their employees, laborers, workers, helpers and affiliates are required to carry Comprehensive General Liability Insurance with a limit of not less than $1 million and Workers Compensation Insurance in compliance with the NJ Workers Compensation and Rating Bureau at their own expense. BICA must be given a Certificate of Insurance showing BOTH coverages before any work is started.

Further, all of the aforementioned individuals and companies must abide by the Rules and Regulations of the BICA and/or their representatives.

Please send ALL Drawings/Sketches, Release Forms and Payments to:

Beth Israel Cemetery Association (BICA)

88 East Main Street

Box 108, Suite H

Mendham, NJ 07945

Last Revised: March, 2026

Some Rules Regarding Remembrance

1. Placing flowers on graves is not part of traditional Jewish mourning. Instead, Judaism emphasizes modesty, the equality of all people in death, permanence over the quick decay of cut flowers, and honoring the deceased through charitable donations or by placing small stones on the headstone.

2. We are deeply grateful for the devotion and care you show in honoring the memory of your loved ones resting at Beth Israel Cemetery. To help maintain the beauty, peace, and dignity of our grounds in Cedar Knolls, we would like to share a gentle reminder regarding the ongoing care and maintenance of individual family monuments.

• The care and preservation of monument and marker surfaces remains the responsibility of each family.  The Beth Israel Cemetery Association is not responsible for surface maintenance. However, we want to ensure you have the resources and guidance needed to care for your family’s memorial safely and effectively.
  • Professional Cleaning Services
• If you prefer to have a monument professionally cleaned, several reputable monument companies are listed on our website at bethisraelcemetery.org. We encourage you to contact them directly to ask about their availability, pricing, and recommended methods for your specific stone.
  • Caring for Monuments Personally
• Some of our members have reported good results using D/2 Biological Solution. For an example of how this type of product is applied, you may view an instructional video here: D/2 Biological Solution Cleaning Guide.
• Please note: The Beth Israel Cemetery Association takes no responsibility for utilizing this product or any other cleaning agent.
• If you do clean a monument yourself, we recommend following the manufacturer’s directions carefully. To protect the stone, lettering, and neighboring memorials, please avoid power washers, wire or abrasive brushes, and harsh household chemicals.
• Before beginning any cleaning, please take a moment to ensure the monument is sturdy and secure. If you notice any leaning, deep cracks, or loose pieces, please refrain from attempting to clean or repair the stone yourself. In those instances, reaching out to a professional monument company is the safest way to preserve the memorial.
• Thank you for your partnership in keeping Beth Israel Cemetery a sacred, comforting place of remembrance for all families.

Get in touch with our participating synagogues: 

• Temple B’nai Or in Morristown at https://templebnaior.org/
• The Morristown Jewish Center-Beit Yisrael at https://www.mjcby.org/

Find a grave of a loved one at Beth Israel Cemetery

Start here: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/99883/beth-israel-memorial-park

Flags

Flags are flown for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Flags will be removed within 2 weeks of the holiday.