Information Regarding Disposition of Remains
Information Regarding Disposition of Remains
The following information is submitted in accordance with State Department requirements to provide current data on Israeli law on the disposition of remains.
Maximum Period Before Burial
- When the remains are embalmed: Embalming is not common practice in Israel. Therefore, there is no local law requiring burial of an embalmed body within a specified time.
- When the remains are not embalmed: Israeli law requires disposition of remains within 48 hours unless the remains are to be shipped outside this country. Under Israeli law, a body must be embalmed before it can be shipped outside the country.
A. Embalming Services in
Embalming is performed by one of three offices in Israel:
1) The Israel Institute for Forensic Medicine; 2) Israel Embalming Services (run by Yeshaihu Kariv) in Ramat Gan; and 3) Noam Embalming Agency (run by Benny Noam) in Tel Aviv. While the Forensic Institute is a GOI agency under the Ministry of Health, the latter two are private companies. Private companies must bring embalmed remains to the Institute for inspection and issuance of a non-infectious disease certificate.
The approximate cost of embalming and transportation to the United States is $3500 to $4000. In order to request the embalming of remains in Israel, please contact one of the following offices and they can arrange both embalming and transportation.
Embalming facilities are available at:
The
Director: Mr. Shaike Kariv
E-mail: ies_ltd@netvision.net.il
Tel: 972-3-687-2929
Cellular: 972-50-777-8804
Noam Embalming Services
Director: Mr. Benny Noam
Cellular: 972-57-770-8532
B. Cremation:
Cremation is not legally permitted in
C. Caskets and Containers:
When remains are to be transported back to the
Caskets may be obtained by special order from:
Benny Noam
Tel: +972-3-574-3330/9
Cellular Phone: +972-57-770-8532
Yehezkel Gedalia
Tel: +972-8-928-2125 (H)
Cellular Phone: +972-52-277-0278
D. Exportation of Remains:
1. Remains:
Israeli requirements regarding exportation of remains are as follows:
- Death Certificate issued by the Ministry of Interior;
- Statement from the Embalmer;
- Transit permit stating there is no objection to the export of the remains from Israel.
The Ministry of Interior requires that the casket be prepared and sealed in accordance with Public Health (re-interment) Rules of the year 1941.
2. Ashes:
This is not applicable since there are no legal cremation facilities in
E. Costs: Local Burials
1. Jewish Burial: Since October 1, 1976, the Israeli National Insurance Organization covers the cost of the funeral for a person of the Jewish faith when the person is to be buried in
2. Muslim Burial:
The Israeli National Insurance Organization covers the cost of the funeral for a person of the Muslim faith who made regular Israeli National Insurance contributions. The cost for a private burial to include the plot, gravesite preparation, shroud and offering for the sheik attending the funeral, is based upon the age of the deceased: 0-1 year – no charge; 1-10 years – approximately $260; 10 years and older – approximately $1,200. The burial arrangements must be made by the family of the deceased individual. For further details, contact Abdela Abu Kishik, Head of the Muslim Burial Committee, +972-52-280-2996.
3. Protestant Burial:
The cost of plot, gravesite preparation, casket, funeral service and marker is approximately $1,500. Contact Father Ibrahim Azar of the
4. Roman Catholic Burial:
Due to lack of space, burials plots are available to parish members only. The cost for a vault burial is $1,000. This includes the burial service, but does not include the casket. Contact Father Arturo Vazaturo at +972-3-6822-667 for further details. For a Catholic Polish Burial contact Father Gregory at +972-3-6822-680 for further details.
5. Greek Orthodox Burial:
Burial at a local cemetery, which includes the plot, gravesite preparation, casket, funeral services and marker, costs approximately $1,000. Due to lack of plots, only members of the community are eligible for burial. Contact Father Damaskinos at +972-3-682-3451; or Yousef Deek, Head, Community Council at +972-3-682-8666 or +972-3-507-6811.
F. Costs: Shipment of Remains to the
1. Embalming:
Noam Embalming Services $1,500.00
2. Transportation from other cities in
3. Shipping Costs:
The cost of shipment of remains from
G. Exhumation of Remains:
In accordance with Israeli health regulations, remains of persons of the Jewish faith may be disinterred a year from the date of burial. There is no law prohibiting disinterment of remains of persons of other faiths at any given time, provided that the Ministry of Health is in agreement. Exhumation must be performed in the presence of a representative of the Israeli Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health, having given the necessary permission for exhumation of remains, must also obtain the consent of the Chief Rabbinate of
Exhumation related charges are as follows:
Ministry of Health – Certificate of Consent and presence of representative at exhumation: $250.00
Exhumation fee $1,500 - $2,000
Approximate freight charges to the U.S. $1,500 - $2,000
H. Remarks
Cause of Death: Routinely, the cause of death is not normally stated on the Israeli Death Certificate unless (1) the family has specifically requested the cause of death be added to the Certificate, (2) an autopsy has been performed, or (3) the remains are to be shipped outside of
Autopsies: Autopsies in