Oraynu Cemetery

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>ORAYNU CONGREGATION for Humanistic Judaism</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ORAYNU CONGREGATION for Humanistic Judai"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=17.5% BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad4fe0dkelyh.png"> <div> <B>Back to</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Life Cycle"><U><B>LIFE CYCLE</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Upcoming Events"><U><B>UPCOMING EVENTS</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Oraynu Cemetery</I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><IMG SRC="240353d0.gif" border=0 width="53" height="61" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </FONT><B>The Oraynu Cemetery is a section at Elgin Mills Cemetery, </B><B>a non-denominational cemetery operated by the Mount Pleasant Group. </B><B> </B><B> It is located in Richmond Hill, on Elgin Mills Rd. just w. of Highway 404, </B><B>and is situated just east of the main entrance off Elgin Mills Rd. adjacent to a veterans' section marked with flat monuments and across the road from a park-like area.  Our cemetery area is well-designed and landscaped with several trees. There is an attractive floral feature garden, framed with an impressive sixteen-inch pink granite curb, which provides 36 single urn spaces for cremated remains. A small bronze plaque placed on top of the curb will memorialize the deceased person.  Around and beyond the garden area are 64 burial lots where loved ones can be memorialized with traditional granite monuments. </B><B>Along with our members and Jewish non-members, intermarried couples may be buried together. </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>FAQs ABOUT THE ORAYNU CEMETERY</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1. Why has Oraynu chosen to locate a “Jewish” cemetery section at Elgin Mills and not at a Jewish cemetery like Pardes Shalom?</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660033" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Currently and in the foreseeable future, Jewish cemeteries in the GTA follow traditional Jewish law and rituals, and generally prohibit the burial of non-Jewish partners and the interment of cremated remains. Our cemetery is unique - an identifiably-Jewish cemetery that allows cremation, permits the burial of intermarried Jewish couples and allows a choice of funeral rites. We feel there is a strong need for this in our community and we are happy to provide it.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>2.  Why is cremation permitted? </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Oraynu recognizes that there are many people for whom casket burial is not a desirable option. Humanistic Judaism respects individual choice in this matter.  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>3. Why does Oraynu allow non-members to purchase interment rights? </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Oraynu prides itself on being inclusive and on providing secular and humanistic Jewish services to all those in the community in need of such services. Non-members must pay a membership fee.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>4. What happens when I die and I have rights in the Oraynu cemetery section? </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Your survivor(s) may contact Oraynu or Elgin Mills directly. At the time of death, any outstanding fees and dues for non-members must be paid in full to activate the interment rights.  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>5. If I plan to be buried in the Oraynu section at Elgin Mills, will I be able to have a funeral service at a Jewish funeral home?</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660033" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Yes, funerals can be held at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel or at Steeles Memorial Chapel.  Hebrew Basic Burial serves many in the Jewish community who do not wish to have a chapel service.  All can provide a Jewish graveside service. Steeles Memorial Chapel will only provide services to Jews, as traditionally defined.  Only Benjamin's will service those choosing cremation. You can also select a non-Jewish funeral home, including the Mount Pleasant Group which has non-denominational chapels.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>6. Who can officiate at my funeral service and/or burial?</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660033" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Services may be arranged through Oraynu with Rabbi Eva Goldfinger, Director of Life Cycle. You may also use a family member or friend. Non-Jewish clergy are not permitted at Benjamin's or Steeles, however clergy of your choice may perform a graveside service. Most other rabbis will only perform services with the prescribed Jewish rituals and only at traditional Jewish cemeteries. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>7. Why do I have to join the Oraynu Burial Society (OBS) to purchase interment rights?</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660033" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >All purchasers must belong to our Burial Society. The OBS will make improvements to the section, creating an area that is visibly and culturally Jewish,  and will ensure perpetual maintenance for the feature garden.  In addition, it will handle the management and financing for the section. The amount paid for membership in the OBS is tax-receiptable; interment rights are not. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>8. Is more than one burial allowed in a single grave lot?</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660033" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Elgin Mills Cemetery allows burial of two caskets in a single lot, as well as cremated remains.  This option will be attractive to couples where one partner wants cremation and the other a traditional burial, or for those wishing to keep their costs down.  Also, couples where both partners plan to be cremated, and who prefer a traditional monument, might choose this option. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>9. Because intermarried couples may be buried in the Oraynu section, will non-Jewish symbols be permitted? </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" > Generally this is not permitted. The policy ensures a visibly clear and strong Jewish identity for our section.  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> For more information, please contact Roby at <B>416-395-3910 or roby@oraynu.org</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>