Grave Visiting Service in Israel: What Happens When We Visit for You
For a family living abroad, asking someone else to visit a parent’s grave is an act of trust. You want to know that the right grave will be found, that the prayers will be said properly and with respect, and that you will be part of it even from thousands of kilometres away. Here is exactly what happens when Yahrzeit Minyan Jerusalem visits a grave on your behalf.
Step 1: You Send Us the Details
Contact us by WhatsApp or phone at +972-53-397-6960, or by email at ten.minyan@gmail.com. We need the Hebrew name of the departed and of his or her father or mother, the cemetery, and the date you would like the visit. If you have the section, row or plot number, please send it, but it is not required. We recommend contacting us at least 48 hours in advance; when the need is urgent, call us and we will do our best to arrange a visit the same day.
Step 2: We Arrange the Minyan and Find the Grave
We organise a minyan of yeshiva students and bring them by private minivan from Jerusalem to the cemetery. Our team visits Har HaZeitim, Har HaMenuchot and Sanhedria regularly and works with the burial society records to locate the grave.
Step 3: The Prayers at the Grave
At the grave, the minyan follows the order of prayers customary for a cemetery visit:
- Tehillim, including the sections of Psalm 119 for the letters of the name (see which Tehillim are said at the grave)
- El Malei Rachamim for the soul of the departed
- Kaddish, said with the full minyan
- Lighting a memorial candle at the grave
Step 4: You Receive Photos and Video
While the minyan is at the grave, photos and video are sent to your phone by WhatsApp, so you can see the visit as it happens and share it with the rest of the family.
Additional Merits for the Neshamah
Many families add Mishnayot l’ilui nishmat, learned according to the letters of the Hebrew name, or a full day of Torah learning in a Jerusalem kollel dedicated to the departed. See our packages for what each option includes.
Common Questions
Do you visit on Shabbat or Yom Tov? No. When a yahrzeit falls on Shabbat or a festival, we coordinate the visit for Erev Shabbat or the following weekday.
Can a Kohen in the family attend? Kohanim customarily do not enter a cemetery, so many families with Kohanim rely on a minyan to visit on their behalf. With WhatsApp photos and video, the whole family can be part of the visit.
How do I pay? Payment is by PayPal, Zelle or international bank transfer, after the details of the visit are confirmed. Instructions are sent by WhatsApp.
Prepare a personal reading for your own use with our free Tehillim by Name tool, or contact us to arrange a visit.