The Jewish Burial Service holds a special place in the tradition and practice of most forms of Jewish observance. Following the funeral service, the Jewish committal service occurs at the graveside. With family, friends, and the Rabbi present, the graveside rites and rituals begin with the pallbearers accompanying the casket to the site grave. Traditionally, the Rabbi may make a number of brief stops on the way to the graveside. The number of pauses may vary between 3 and 7. At the graveside, once the casket is lowered into the grave, the community of mourners are invited to participate in the burial process. While not mandatory, many mourners elect to participate by placing a minimum of 3 measures of earth into the graveside. This act is widely considered to be a great kindness because the decedent is unable to repay this kindness. Once the casket has been lowered and the grave filled, the Burial Kaddish is recited.
Technically, the cemetery labor required to perform the burial, entombment or inurnment service is respectively referred to as the committal service, entombment service, or inurnment service. Most private Jewish cemeteries will perform the committal services with their own staff. Municipal cemeteries may rely upon the parks department or public works to prepare a gravesite. Smaller, rural, cemeteries may contract these services to the burial vault company. The service level and professionalism of the staff tends to be highest amongst full time cemetery professionals.
The cemetery committal / entombment service is required to use the burial site however, the labor charges are typically not included in the cost of the burial site and must be separately arranged. Whenever possible, cemetery labor services should be arranged for when the burial plot is purchased. Labor costs tend to increase steadily over-time which makes the cemetery labor charges subject to frequent cost increases.