“A mere shadow is our days upon the earth.” Naught is left to me of him who has gone “to the valley of the shadow of death” but a stone bearing his name. This is all we have to mark the spot where his mortal remains are laid, to remind us of what we too shall soon become. In the grave, all our efforts end. Here is nothing but a fragile stone or a name whom we leave behind, unless we sow the seed of goodness and useful deeds in our earthy career, the fruits of which we shall reap in heaven.
O thou who sleepest in dust, this monument was not needed to recall thy name, for thy precious memory is enthroned in the hearts of many; but thy gentle qualities and kind friends have so endeared thy image to my soul, that death alone can efface the remembrance of the loss I have sustained in thy decease.
May the body rest in peace. Lord in setting this stone to the memory of……... I beseech Thee
to grant repose to his (her) soul, give him (her) the peace of righteousness, and admit him (her) to the joy of contemplating Thy divine presence
Vouchsafe Thy mercy to me, O lord! That my spirit may one day also enjoy eternal beatitude,
and make my memory worthy of being honored and preserved among those whom I shall leave behind. Amen.
If we can be of further assistance in answering questions regarding Jewish mourning customs, please don't hesitate to
contact us.