Inscriptions

Inscriptions vary by custom and preference.

Hebrew name inscriptions vary. The Ashkenazic custom is to mention the father’s name on the stone. Sephardic custom dictates to use the mother’s name exclusively. The names of both parents can be carved into gravestones.

Engraving photos onto the stone is not against Jewish law, but neither is it a Jewish custom; except amongst Jews from the former Soviet Union. 

Important relationships: mother, father, teacher, great-grandmother, and mentor have found their way onto Jewish gravestones. 

Hebrew acronyms of the letters Pay and Nun stand for “poh nitman,” or “here lies.” The longer acronym Taf, Nun,Tzadi, Vet, Hey expresses "t’hey nishmaso/a tzerurah bitzror ha-chayim" which means “May his/her soul be bound up in bonds of eternal life.” 

Six-pointed Stars of David are common features on Jewish stones. A lineage among the Kohen priestly class is often noted by the spread hands of the priestly blessing. A pitcher, symbolizing the water a Levite would pour over the hands of the Kohen, marks many Levite graves. 

We tailor each monument to suit the specific message detailed by those left behind. They can be deeply personal, or short with a descriptive phase and the name and dates of your loved ones.  It’s a personal choice that is up to you.

The Chevra Kadisha requires a minimum standard Hebrew text on each monument; we can take care of that for you and provide you with a suitable translation as well.

As we are fluent in a number of languages, we are able to advise and create inscriptions that can reflect the essence of the memory you wish to engrave.  We create inscriptions in many different languages, among them Hebrew, Yiddish, and Russian.

Letters or images can be either Hand-Cut into the granite, or Sandblasted. The letters are all gilded in gold - or any other colour you may choose.

We can add any inscription onto an existing monument as well.

Contact us for an obligation-free price for an inscription only, or for a free quote on a full monument.