Cemetery Information

Thanks to the Cemetery Committee (Mike Armin, Anna and Sam Kelman and Arnie Berger), and with the support of the Board, in early 2006 Kol HaLev bought a section of Hillcrest Cemetery. We now have 36 plots. Though most have been sold to members, about one third are still available. To learn more, read below and contact Cemetery Chair Mike Armin.

Hillcrest Cemetery is located at 26700 Aurora Road in Bedford, on the south side of Aurora Road, a half mile west of Mount Olive Cemetery. Temple Emanuel (Reform) has reserved a large section.

To see a map, click here.

The arch at the entrance to the cemetery, looking from the inside north, toward Aurora Road. Far to the left of the arch (outside the photo) is a mausoleum structure and vaults for urns.

Hillcrest presents an open park-like setting.

Tablets at ground level, instead of headstones, mark grave sites. They preserve the natural, park-like look and reduce the costs of maintenance.

Mike Armin speaks to the caretaker, at the section of the cemetery that Kol HaLev has purchased.

MORE INFORMATION

Hillcrest is non-sectarian
This is important to members whose immediate families include non-Jews. Our section includes plots available only for use by Jews and plots available for Jews and non-Jews. Thus plots for spouses/partners in interfaith families can be side by side.

How large is the chapel at Hillcrest?
Their chapel can seat about 50 persons.

What funeral directors work with Hillcrest?
They work with Jewish funeral directors Berkowitz-Kumin and Shapiro. Shapiro, in turn, works with the Cleveland Memorial Society to provide very low cost basic services.

Cost
Individuals can buy plots at Hillcrest for about $540 each. Currently the cost to our members is the same - $540. The cost of a plot does not include the cost of grave opening and closing ($400 to $1,200 at local cemeteries - Hillcrest being at the low end of this range) nor a grave marker ($400-500.)

Perpetual Care
The purchase cost of a Hillcrest cemetery plot includes perpetual care. Cemeteries are encouraged to set aside at least ten percent of their plot sales in a fund for perpetual care. A state cemetery official tells us that they have such a fund with a substantial balance.

Future space
Our agreement with Hillcrest provides for some future growth. It lets us buy more sections (each having six plots) contiguous to our section.

Regulations
Kol HaLev has set some restrictions on religious practices at or near the graves and some rules for the purchase and resale of plots. We believe them to be much "friendlier" than the rules we have seen of other congregations. To learn more, click here.