FAQ’s
Please search through the following list for answers to commonly asked questions. If you cannot find what you’re looking for or you need further information, call the Garden of Remembrance at (301) 428-3000.
Q: What is the difference between the Garden of Remembrance and other Jewish memorial parks and cemeteries in the greater Washington, D.C. area?
A: The Garden of Remembrance is the area’s most inclusive Jewish cemetery and the only not-for-profit cemetery managed by a board of Jewish community leaders. We offer comprehensive services in accordance with all branches of Judaism and honor your personal preferences.
We allocate more space for each burial plot than other local Jewish cemeteries.
We have paved pathways for walking within the Memorial Park, as well as benches throughout the area for sitting and contemplation.
We respond quickly to your questions, needs, and concerns.
Q: Why is not-for-profit important to me?
A: By purchasing your burial space at the Garden of Remembrance you unite the Jewish community.
Our not-for-profit status allows us to provide high-quality service without having to make a profit for shareholders. The Memorial Park returns funds in excess of operating expenses and capital needs back to the local Jewish community.
Q: What is a community cemetery?
A: The Garden of Remembrance was envisioned (by lay members and clergy of Washington Hebrew Congregation) as a cemetery that is open to all Jewish people in our community, guided by a board of Jewish community leaders, and dedicated exclusively to meeting the personal and religious needs of our local Jewish community.
A community cemetery exists as a service to the community and is supported by the community. Also, please note that The Garden of Remembrance is a partner agency with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
Q: Who is on the Board of Directors?
Henry “Hank” Levine, President
Kenneth Marks, Chair
Judith Kranz, Vice President
Robert Banner, Treasurer
Joan S. Greenbaum, Secretary
Linda Collier
Neil Greenberg
Susan Hanenbaum
Don Kaplan
Lauren Racoosin
Steve Robins
Will Schlossenberg
Stanley Smith
Jonathan Weinberg
Ted Stein, General Counsel
Bob Shapiro, Audit Counsel
Beth Mlynarczyk, Federation NextGen Rep.
Glenn S. Easton, Executive Director
Q: Who is the Advisory Committee, and what do they do?
A: The Rabbis and Executive Directors of our Partner Congregations comprise the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee meets twice each year to provide input, ideas, and critiques on the operations of the Memorial Park. (Click here for Partner Congregations.)
Q: Can you accommodate my needs?
A: Because the Garden of Remembrance is the most inclusive Jewish cemetery in the greater Washington area, we can offer comprehensive services in accordance with all branches of Judaism, reflecting the full range of Jewish practices and honoring personal preferences.
Funerals and unveilings take place at the convenience of your family and rabbi, including the day and time of burial and graveside services. You can also choose grave memorials appropriate to your wishes and in accordance with Memorial Park standards.
As you tour and become familiar with the Memorial Park grounds, consider selecting your burial site through our prearrangement services.
Q: Can I be sure that appropriate care is taken to adhere to Orthodox traditions?
A: The Garden of Remembrance is committed to maintaining the integrity of proper Jewish burial practices. We have sections available for Orthodox individuals who are not affiliated with our Orthodox partner congregations. We offer services that fully comply with all requirements for Orthodox burials.
Q: Does the Garden of Remembrance have a Green Burials section?
A: Certified by the Green Burial Council of North America, the Garden of Remembrance is a designated Hybrid Green Burial Cemetery with special sections of the memorial park for Green Burials where concrete liners are not permitted. In keeping with Jewish tradition, there is no embalming of the deceased. Biodegradable caskets are required. Memorials in the Green Burial Gardens are limited to flat, grass-level footstones. Upright headstones are not permitted.
Q: When is the Garden of Remembrance open?
A: The Garden of Remembrance Office is open: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (3:00 pm in winter months, November – February), and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed Saturdays and on the first and last days of major Jewish holidays. The offices are closed on New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25 but a staff member is always on call for emergencies.
The Memorial Park Grounds are open: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (3:00 pm in winter months, November – February), Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed Saturday and on the first and last days of major Jewish holidays. The grounds are open on all federal holidays from 10:00 am – 4:00 p.m.
A member of the Garden of Remembrance staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call (301) 428-3000 for emergency contact information.
Q: Do you have small stones to mark my visits to a grave?
A: Yes. Small marker stones are available on pedestals located throughout the grounds of the Memorial Park.
Q: Do you require liners/vaults for each grave?
A: Liners are required for all new burials at the Garden of Remembrance to provide safety on the grounds and ensure proper level landscaping and stability of memorial monuments. To accommodate Jewish burial practices, we use liners with holes in the bottom and place additional earth in the bottom of a liner to honor Halacha.
Liners are not required or permitted in our Green Burial Gardens sections or our designated Orthodox community sections.
Q: Do you assist with and sell memorial markers and headstones?
A: The Garden of Remembrance has one of the largest, most affordable selections of memorials and markers in the greater Washington, D.C. area. All of our memorials are handcrafted in fine detail and high quality. We can advise you on design, granite color, bronze color, wording, and offer personalized options, such as quotations and symbolism that will best express the love for and the life of your loved one. (Click here for more information.)
Q: Is it convenient and easy to walk through the Memorial Park?
A: Yes. Smooth, paved walkways and wide roads traverse the grounds of the Memorial Park making it convenient and accessible for all to visit. The walkways were planned so you can avoid stepping on burial sites. Take a moment to rest and relax on the numerous benches located throughout the Memorial Park and at the gazebo near the Founders’ Garden.
Q: Are pets allowed in the memorial park grounds?
A: Unfortunately, while we love our pets, in respect of the families and loved ones buried at the Garden of Remembrance, pets are not allowed.
Q: How will my non-Jewish family members be buried?
A: As a Jewish community cemetery, the Garden of Remembrance acknowledges the diversity of families in our area. Our rules of interment require that all services follow Jewish traditions and be conducted by a Jewish professional or lay leader approved by the Memorial Park. Only Jewish symbols and prayers are permitted.
While each partner congregation may establish particular rules regarding burials in their own cemetery area, the Garden of Remembrance permits the burial of those who are of the Jewish faith, and their spouses and their families. Only those of the Jewish faith may own burial plots.
Q: What is the benefit of prearrangement?
A: Without prearrangement, your family and loved ones face the burden and stress of making many important decisions in a few short hours. By prearranging now with the Garden of Remembrance, you spare your loved ones added anguish and anxiety during their time of grief.
Think about your family first by making burial arrangements in advance. You’ll keep your loved ones from making stressful decisions during an emotional time. And you’ll give yourself the peace of mind that everything will happen just as you intend.
In addition, you are able to tour the Memorial Park at your convenience and become familiar with our peaceful setting, special burial areas and services.
When you prearrange you also take advantage of today’s prices and get the experienced counseling to help you make informed decisions and ensure that your wishes will be understood and carried out.
Consult our Planning Guide as a starting point to discuss your needs with your family and our professional counselors.
Q: What are the administrative details I should consider, like paperwork, legal issues and payment?
A: When you call the Garden of Remembrance we will help you through the process, answering all your questions and ensuring that your wishes are met. All the details are taken care of by the Memorial Park staff. There are no hidden charges to process paperwork.
We accept payment by check or credit card.
Q: What general expenses should we expect and plan for?
As a nonprofit community organization, the Garden of Remembrance strives to offer affordable prices while maintaining a financially sustainable organization to ensure generations of service to the Jewish community. Our Endowed Care Trust Fund is preserved to guarantee perpetual care of the memorial park. Click here for a general pricing list.
Q: Are there pre-determined times for burial services, including funerals and unveilings?
A: No. The Garden of Remembrance will make arrangements to meet your requirements. Please remember that in accordance with Jewish religious practices, the Memorial Park is closed on the Sabbath and on the first and last days of major Jewish holidays.
Q: Where can I find the Memorial Park Rules?
A: The Memorial Park Rules are reviewed from time to time by the Board of Directors and are incorporated as a part of all memorial park agreements. You can download the rules here.
Q: Where can I find more information about community support?
A: There are many organizations that provide support, referrals, and more. Here is a list of some helpful community organizations:
Chesed Shel Emes
Hebrew Free Burial Society
c/o Jewish Chaplaincy Service
(301) 230-7249
Chevra Kadisha of Greater Washington
www.chevrakadishagw.org
(301) 681-6787 (Men’s, Menashe Katz)
(301) 679-7333 (Women’s, Beverly Morris)
Children’s Bereavement Services
www.jssa.org/service/counseling-and-support/bereavement-support
(301) 816-2676
Family Service of Montgomery County
www.fsmontco.org
(301) 840-2000
Hebrew Home of Greater Washington
www.hebrew-home.org
(301) 881-0300
JConnect
www.jconnect.org
1-(888) 246-1818
Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA)
www.jssa.org/
(301) 881-3700
JSSA Hospice
www.jssa.org/get-help/hospice/
(301) 816-2676
Jewish Council for the Aging
www.accessjca.org
(301) 881-8782
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
www.ShalomDC.org
(301) 230-7200
Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington
https://dc.jewish-funerals.org/
(202) 882-1605
Montgomery Hospice
www.montgomeryhospice.org
(301) 921-4400
Q: I still have questions and concerns about funeral and burial services. Is there someone I can talk to?
A: Please call us at (301) 428-3000, or email us at info@gardenofremembrance.org. Our staff will be happy to answer your questions about services at the Garden of Remembrance and address any of your needs or concerns.