Sydney Chevra Kadisha
View contact informationSydney Chevra Kadisha is Sydney's premier Jewish burial society, providing compassionate Jewish funeral services to the Jewish community of Sydney since 1817.
Based in Woollahra, New South Wales, this DGR-endorsed charity offers 24/7 Jewish burial and funeral arrangements following traditional Jewish practices and the sacred obligation of Chesed Shel Emet.
Woollahra, NSW
ABN: 65000029541
Legally incorporated on ,
registered as a charity on the
ACNC Charity Register
since .
Jewish Funeral and Burial Services Available 24/7
As Sydney’s longest-serving Jewish burial society, Sydney Chevra Kadisha provides comprehensive Jewish funeral arrangements and burial services throughout Sydney and NSW. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except during Shabbat and Jewish holy days), ensuring immediate support when needed.
Key services include:
- Jewish funeral coordination and burial arrangements
- Transportation to Rookwood Cemetery and Macquarie Park Cemetery
- Shomer (continuous watching of the deceased)
- Tahara (ritual purification) by trained volunteers
- Shiva support and mourning guidance
- Yahrzeit reminders and consecration services
Contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha at 02 9363 2248 or visit 172 Oxford St, Woollahra NSW 2025 for immediate assistance with Jewish funeral arrangements in Sydney.
About Sydney Chevra Kadisha – Jewish Burial Society in Sydney
The Sydney Chevra Kadisha is a DGR-endorsed charity, registered with the ACNC since 2012, providing essential Jewish burial and mourning services in accordance with Jewish Law. Established in 1817, it is Australia’s first Jewish organisation, fulfilling the sacred obligation of Chesed Shel Emet (genuine kindness) by honouring the deceased from the moment of passing through to burial. Services extend to Jewish residents of Sydney who pass away locally or overseas, as well as those wishing interment in Sydney or other parts of Australia.
Programs and Services
Sydney Chevra Kadisha’s Jewish funeral services in Sydney operate around the clock to serve families in their time of need. The organisation coordinates all aspects of traditional Jewish burials, from the moment of passing through to internment at Sydney’s Jewish cemeteries.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except Shabbat and specified holy days), the Sydney Chevra Kadisha manages all funeral arrangements, including:
- Shomer (continuous watching) and secure care of the deceased until burial.
- Preparation for burial by observant community volunteers on an honorary basis.
- Provision of siddurim (prayer books) for services, including Shiva.
- Small Shiva chairs and Aron Kodesh (holy ark) for home mourning services.
- Payment arrangements for funeral charges where necessary.
- Booklets guiding mourners on cemetery visits, consecrations, and customs.
- Yahrzeit notifications, memorial plaques, and consecration services.
Resources cover prayers, funeral practices, bereavement support, and procedures for hospitals and nursing homes, emphasising ground burial per Jewish law.
Traditional Jewish Burial Practices
Sydney Chevra Kadisha follows Jewish law (Halakha) strictly, which requires prompt ground burial. The organisation does not offer cremation, embalming, or above-ground burial, as these are contrary to Jewish tradition.
Burial arrangements include:
- Tachrichim (simple white linen shrouds) – ensuring equality for all
- Plain wooden coffins – identical for everyone regardless of status
- Earth from Jerusalem – traditionally placed inside the coffin
- Graveside services – or chapel/premises options available
- Family participation – mourners help fill the grave as final act of kindness
Legal and Administrative Support
Sydney Chevra Kadisha handles all required documentation, including:
- Death registration with NSW Registrar (within 7 days)
- Medical certificates and coordination with hospitals
- Coroner liaison when necessary (opposing invasive autopsy per Jewish law)
- Transportation coordination using black hearses and mourning vehicles
Jewish Mourning Customs and Traditions
Sydney Chevra Kadisha supports families throughout the mourning process with guidance on traditional Jewish customs:
Se’udat Havra’ah (Meal of Condolence)
The first meal mourners eat upon return from the cemetery, traditionally including hard-boiled eggs symbolizing the continuous nature of life.
Shiva Week
Seven days of intense mourning when mourners stay at home, sit on low chairs, and receive visitors offering consolation. Sydney Chevra Kadisha provides chairs, Aron Kodesh, and prayer books.
Kaddish Recitation
Requires a Minyan (10 Jewish men over 13). For parents: 11 months; for other relatives: one month. If unable to recite Kaddish, Sydney Chevra Kadisha can arrange someone to say it on your behalf.
Tzedakah (Charity)
Making charitable donations in the deceased’s name is a meaningful way to honor their memory and keep it alive.
Impact and Reach
Operating from Woollahra, New South Wales, the organisation serves the Sydney Jewish community and beyond, coordinating with metropolitan cemeteries like Rookwood and Macquarie Park. It handles transportation, death registrations, and rabbinical guidance videos on mourning processes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Services and Support
Here are answers to common questions about the services, programs, and support provided by Sydney Chevra Kadisha. If you need immediate assistance or have specific questions not covered here, please contact the organization directly.
How do I contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha urgently?
Call 02 9363 2248 immediately. The organisation operates 24/7 except during Shabbat and Jewish holy days.
What are the current funeral times?
Funeral times vary based on Jewish law and cemetery availability. Contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha at 02 9363 2248 or visit sck.org.au for current schedules.
Where is Sydney Chevra Kadisha located?
172 Oxford St, Woollahra NSW 2025. The office serves Sydney's Jewish community and surrounding areas.
Which cemeteries do they use for burials?
Sydney Chevra Kadisha coordinates burials at:
- Rookwood Cemetery
- Macquarie Park Cemetery
Other Sydney Jewish cemeteries may be available depending on family needs.
Are they available on weekends?
Yes, services are available 24/7 including weekends, except during Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) and Jewish holy days.
Can I arrange a funeral if my loved one passed away overseas?
Yes. Sydney Chevra Kadisha assists with arrangements for Jewish residents who pass away overseas and require burial in Sydney, or vice versa.
What is the email address to contact them?
info@sck.org.au. For urgent matters, always call 02 9363 2248 instead of emailing.
Do I need to be a member to use their services?
No. Sydney Chevra Kadisha serves all members of Sydney's Jewish community regardless of membership status.
How much do funeral services cost?
Costs vary based on specific requirements. Contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha at 02 9363 2248 for detailed pricing. Payment arrangements are available where necessary.
Can I purchase a burial plot in advance?
Yes. Contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha at 02 9363 2248 to arrange pre-purchasing of burial plots at Rookwood or Macquarie Park cemeteries.
What happens if someone dies during Shabbat?
The body is cared for appropriately until after Shabbat concludes. Sydney Chevra Kadisha will then proceed with funeral arrangements in accordance with Jewish law.
Do they provide Shiva support?
Yes. Services include:
- Shiva chairs
- Aron Kodesh (holy ark) for home services
- Siddurim (prayer books)
- Guidance on mourning customs
Can they help with death certificates and registrations?
Yes. Sydney Chevra Kadisha handles all required documentation including death registrations and coordination with hospitals and nursing homes.
What is Chesed Shel Emet?
Chesed Shel Emet means "genuine kindness" - the sacred obligation to honour the deceased from passing through to burial. This principle guides all services provided.
Do they offer consecration services?
Yes. Sydney Chevra Kadisha provides consecration services, memorial plaques, and Yahrzeit (anniversary) notifications.
Who prepares the deceased for burial?
Observant Jewish community volunteers perform the preparation (Tahara) on an honorary basis, following traditional Jewish practices.
Can I volunteer to help with preparations?
Yes. Community members can volunteer as preparers. Contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha at 02 9363 2248 or info@sck.org.au for information.
Is Sydney Chevra Kadisha a registered charity?
Yes. It is a DGR-endorsed charity registered with the ACNC since December 2012 (ABN: 65000029541).
How long has Sydney Chevra Kadisha been operating?
Established in 1817, it is Australia's first Jewish organisation, serving the community for over 200 years.
What is a Shomer?
A Shomer is a person who watches over the deceased continuously from the time of passing until burial, as required by Jewish tradition. Sydney Chevra Kadisha provides this service.
Do they provide rabbinical guidance?
Yes. Sydney Chevra Kadisha provides access to rabbinical guidance videos and resources on mourning processes and Jewish funeral practices.
Can they transport the deceased from hospitals?
Yes. Sydney Chevra Kadisha coordinates all transportation from hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations to their facilities and cemeteries.
What prayer books do they provide?
Sydney Chevra Kadisha supplies siddurim (prayer books) for funeral services and Shiva, as well as booklets guiding mourners on cemetery visits and customs.
Do they handle funerals for people outside Sydney?
Yes. Services extend to Jewish residents who wish interment in Sydney or other parts of Australia, regardless of where they pass away.
Is cremation an option?
No. Sydney Chevra Kadisha follows Jewish law which requires ground burial. Cremation is not offered.
How do I find the grave location after burial?
Contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha at 02 9363 2248 for grave location information and cemetery visit guidance.
Can they help if I'm not sure which synagogue to contact?
Yes. Sydney Chevra Kadisha serves the entire Sydney Jewish community regardless of synagogue affiliation. Call 02 9363 2248 for assistance.
What if I can't afford the funeral costs?
Sydney Chevra Kadisha offers payment arrangements where necessary. Contact them at 02 9363 2248 to discuss options.
Do they provide booklets about Jewish mourning customs?
Yes. Booklets covering prayers, funeral practices, cemetery visits, consecrations, and mourning customs are provided to families.
Can I visit their office in person?
Yes. The office is at 172 Oxford St, Woollahra NSW 2025. It's recommended to call 02 9363 2248 first to ensure someone is available.
Is cremation permitted in Jewish tradition?
No. Sydney Chevra Kadisha follows Jewish law which requires ground burial. Cremation, embalming, concrete vaults, and above-ground burial in mausoleums are contrary to Jewish law and equivalent to leaving the body unburied. Jewish tradition emphasizes returning the body gently to nature.
What are Tachrichim (Jewish burial shrouds)?
Tachrichim are simple white linen shrouds in which the deceased is dressed - the same basic garments worn by the High Priest in Temple times on Yom Kippur. Whether rich or poor, all are equal before God and dressed identically in these traditional burial garments.
What kind of coffin is used for Jewish burials?
Sydney Chevra Kadisha uses identical plain wooden coffins with no ornamentation for all burials. This ensures everyone is treated equally with no differentiation. A small amount of earth from Jerusalem is traditionally added inside the coffin before burial.
Where can the funeral service be held?
Funeral services may be held at three locations: the graveside itself, a Jewish Chapel at the cemetery (if available), or at the Sydney Chevra Kadisha premises at 172 Oxford St, Woollahra. Discuss your preference with Sydney Chevra Kadisha at 02 9363 2248.
What is Kri'ah in Jewish funeral tradition?
Kri'ah is the Jewish tradition of tearing or cutting a garment near the heart immediately before the funeral as an expression of grief. This heritage has Biblical origins. Your Rabbi will advise you on this procedure, and mourners can wear old, plain clothes for this purpose.
How many people are needed for Kaddish prayer?
Kaddish (mourner's prayer) may only be recited in the presence of a Minyan - 10 Jewish men over the age of Bar Mitzvah (13 years old). Sydney Chevra Kadisha assists in arranging a Minyan during Shiva for daily services at the mourner's home.
Do I need a Medical Certificate before burial can proceed?
Yes. A Medical Cause of Death certificate issued by a doctor is legally required before any burial can take place in NSW. In certain cases (unexpected death, death under anaesthetic, suspicious circumstances), Coroner involvement may be necessary. Contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha at 02 9363 2248 for guidance.
What if my loved one's death requires a Coroner's autopsy?
If Coronial involvement is required, immediately advise the Police Officer that the deceased is of Jewish faith and that you oppose invasive autopsy according to Jewish Law. Contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha immediately at 02 9363 2248 - they will assist with the ongoing process and liaise with authorities to minimize invasive procedures where possible.
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Jewish Burial Society Volunteer Opportunities
The Sydney Chevra Kadisha welcomes religiously observant members of the Jewish community to volunteer for sacred burial services. Volunteers perform two main duties on an honorary basis (without payment): Shomer (monitoring the deceased from death to burial) and Tahara (ritual purification and preparation).
This volunteer work embodies Chesed Shel Emet (genuine kindness with no personal gain), allowing you to serve families during their most difficult moments. Volunteers receive comprehensive training in proper procedures and work with utmost respect for preserving the dignity of the deceased.
Requirements: Volunteers must be religiously observant men or women from Sydney’s Jewish community. Tahara duties are performed only by individuals of the same gender as the deceased.
Interested in this sacred work? Learn more about volunteer training and requirements at Sydney Chevra Kadisha’s contact page.
Visit Sydney Chevra Kadisha’s official website to explore volunteering opportunities and how you can get involved.
Get in touch with this charity for details, support or collaboration.
172 Oxford St
Woollahra NSW 2025
Australia
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