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My mother passed away in September of 2015 and is interred in an above-ground vault. I know it is customary to mark a grave 1 year after the burial with an unveiling. However, I have read that waiting the year is done to allow the ground to settle before placing a headstone or marker so it doesn't sink. Since she is not in the ground, is it still appropriate to wait 1 year or can it be marked sooner?

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Hi Rabbi, is it true that a Jew with a tattoo cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

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If a soldier is missing in action, since there is no body but there is still a chance that he is alive, what is the rule regarding sitting shiva and a funeral service? Especially if his parents think that he might still be alive?

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Shalom, I am a Kohen. After Shabbat I went to visit a neighbor’s house for the first time. While I was there I noticed a cabinet with photos of a woman and a card with her name, photo and year of birth and death. I walked right by it to the dining room. At the time I thought absolutely nothing of it. There were so many other things on my mind and it passed my innocent mind. Later I overheard another friend of mine being told to stop bouncing a ball in the residence. He was told: “Oh you shouldn’t bounce balls nearby the altar!” It became clear to me that cabinet with the photos was turned into a type of altar and shrine to her. This seems wrong to me. Especially as a Kohen. I have never had this happen to me and I had no clue what to do. I want to do the right thing and not lie to myself or turn a blind eye. Rabbi, how should I view this situation?    

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What does the Torah say about suicide?

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OS: BurialFor the week ending 8 November 2003 / 13 Heshvan 5764Cremation8 November 2003 / 13 Heshvan 5764