Star of David
The most recognized symbol of Jewish identity, often placed above the name.
Faith traditions
Jewish headstones and monuments
Hebrew lettering, traditional abbreviations, and a stone ready for the unveiling. We work carefully, with your family, your rabbi, and your cemetery.
Star of David
Menorah
Hands of the Kohanim
Levite pitcher
Our approach
Designed with you, never assumed
A Jewish monument follows a form refined over many generations: the name in Hebrew and English, dates in both calendars, and the traditional abbreviations that open and close the inscription. We take that form seriously and get it right.
Hebrew is exacting work. We coordinate the inscription and the conversion of dates to the Hebrew calendar with your family and your congregation, and every character is proofed before carving. If your community keeps customs of its own, they lead.
Your community leads
Jewish practice varies between Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and family traditions of long standing. We design with your family and your rabbi, and where customs differ we follow your community, not a template.
Bring your clergy or community into the conversation at any point. We are glad to make the call ourselves.
Symbols and meanings
What each emblem says
Menorah
The seven-branched lamp of the Temple, long associated with a life of piety and light. Chosen widely for its beauty.
Hands of the Kohanim
The hands of the priestly blessing, traditionally reserved for descendants of the priestly line. We confirm the family tradition before including them.
Levite pitcher
The ewer of the Levites, who washed the hands of the priests. It marks descent from the tribe of Levi.
Inscription ideas
Words that have served families well
פ״נ
Po Nikbar, meaning 'here lies'. Traditionally placed at the top of the stone.
תנצב״ה
'May their soul be bound up in the bond of life' (after 1 Samuel 25:29). Traditionally placed at the base of the stone.
אשת חיל
Eshet chayil, 'a woman of valor' (Proverbs 31:10). Often chosen for a mother or grandmother.
May their memory be a blessing
The traditional blessing of remembrance, often lettered in English alongside the Hebrew.
Every inscription is proofed with your family at full size before carving. If you are unsure, we will sit with the options together until one feels right.
Customs we honor
Guidance we follow, gently
The unveiling
Many families dedicate the monument at an unveiling, commonly around eleven months after burial, though timing varies by community. We plan the work back from your date so the stone is set, inspected, and ready.
Stones of remembrance
Visitors traditionally leave a small stone on the monument when they visit. We design ledger tops, bases, and shoulders with flat, reachable surfaces so that custom has a natural place.
Portraits
In traditional practice, photographs and portraits are generally not used on Jewish monuments. We follow the guidance of your rabbi and your cemetery, and of your family above all.
Hebrew inscription and dates
We set the Hebrew name and the date of passing in the Hebrew calendar, confirmed with your congregation, and proof every letter with you before it is carved.
Recommended forms
Monument forms families choose
Upright monument
The traditional form for Hebrew and English inscriptions together, with the abbreviations in their customary places.
Ledger
A full-length stone with a flat top, giving visitors a natural place to leave stones of remembrance.
Flat marker
A modest grass-level stone, common in memorial park sections, with room for both languages.
The package
What this package includes
- Hebrew and English inscription layout, proofed letter by letter
- Hebrew calendar date conversion confirmed with your congregation
- Traditional abbreviations set in their customary positions
- Coordination with your rabbi and cemetery on symbols and customs
- Scheduling built around your unveiling date
- Written quote, delivery, foundation, and installation included
Granite colors
Gentle color guidance
Gray and jet black granite are chosen most often: both hold fine Hebrew lettering crisply, and black polish gives the characters unusual clarity. Some families prefer a softer gray in older cemetery sections, so the new stone sits gently among the old.
These are observations, not rules. Your family chooses, and we will show you the design rendered in any color before you decide.
Questions, answered gently
What families often ask
When should we order the monument?
Most families order three to five months before the unveiling. Hebrew proofing, cemetery approval, and carving take time, and we would rather be early than hurried.
Can you check our Hebrew?
Yes. We confirm the Hebrew name, the date conversion, and every abbreviation with your family and, whenever you wish, your congregation before anything is carved.
Our cemetery keeps specific rules. Is that a problem?
No. Jewish cemeteries often keep standards for size, finish, and symbols. We confirm them directly with the cemetery office and design within them from the start.
Here when you are ready
A jewish memorial, designed together
Start in the designer or start with a conversation. Either way, you set the pace, your community is welcome, and the quote is always in writing.