Five Progressive Judaism Annual Memorial Services will take place in August and September, giving people an opportunity to visit the graves of their loved ones before Rosh Hashanah.
The locations, dates, times and rabbis leading the services are listed. Registration is not required. Below, Rabbi Richard Jacobi explains the significance of this Elul tradition and how it can bring comfort, companionship and inspiration.
Edgwarebury Cemetery
Date: Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: 11:00
Led by: Rabbi Lea Mühlstein
Golders Green Crematorium (West Chapel)
Date: Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: 12:00
Led by: Rabbi Rachel Benjamin
Western Cemetery, Cheshunt
Date: Sunday 6 September 2026
Time: 10:45
Led by: Rabbi Richard Jacobi
JJBS Woodland Cemetery, Cheshunt
Date: Sunday 6 September 2026
Time: 12:00
Led by: Rabbi Dr Jackie Tabick
LJS Pound Lane Cemetery
Date: Sunday 6 September 2026
Time: 11:00
Led by: Clergy from The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
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By Rabbi Richard Jacobi
Judaism has spent centuries innovating and refining rituals and moments that provide structure for the highs and lows of life. Part of this is the varied ways in which Jewish rites and practices offer support to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Most of us are familiar with Jewish funerals, evening prayers during the period of shiva, and stone settings.
Less well known is the practice of visiting the graves of loved ones during the Hebrew month of Elul, which leads up to the High Holy Days. It might surprise you that Judaism discourages visiting graves too often, citing a verse from Jeremiah: “Do not weep too much for the dead” (Jer. 22:10).
Instead, it suggests times when it is appropriate to visit, some of which are specific to the loved one, like their yahrzeit (anniversary of death by the Gregorian or Hebrew calendars), their birthday or, for a spouse, a wedding anniversary.
The practice of visiting during Elul can be individual or communal, or both. Progressive Judaism holds a memorial service at each of its cemeteries and also at Golders Green Crematorium, while communities elsewhere might make their own arrangements.
Such a service allows those grieving loved ones who died, whether recently or many years ago, to find companionship during a short service before visiting their graves. Saying Kaddish together might be helpful and hearing the memorial prayer might allow moments of reflection.
When we consecrate memorials, our liturgy says: “It helps us to know that there is one place on earth forever dedicated to their memory” and affirms that each memorial is “a visible symbol of their enduring presence among us.”
Visiting during Elul and joining one of the memorial services gives us an opportunity to take inspiration from our best memories of our loved ones, and then to make their memory a blessing – zichronum livrachah – through our words and our deeds.
This helps us to make the new year a good and sweet one!