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What possible reasons would a burial and matzeva be moved elsewhere?

Question:

My wife was nifter over two years ago. Directly behind her plot I recognized the name of a person I worked with back in the mid-1960s. My last recent visit witnessed that the matzeva of this friend was not there with no marker. The custodian would not say why after 46 years the grave was moved and was concerned about confidentiality. What could be some reasons for a move like this? The nifteras had some very serious mental issues including suicidal behaviour. Thank you.

Answer:

It is not possible to answer your question definitively without knowing what happened, however there are a number of reasons brought in Shulchan Aruch YH:D 363-1 when it is permitted to move a niftar. Some of the reasons are;

  1. If the niftar is being brought to Eretz Yisroel.
  2. If the niftar is being brought to a family plot, or a different plot that he owns.
  3. If there is a danger to the plot that the person is presently buried in.
  4. If the niftar was buried in this place for whatever reason beyond their control, and it was done with the intention to be moved later on.

As a side point, in general a deceased person is not moved, and when it has to be done it should be under the guidance of competent a halachic authority.

May H-shem bring Moshiach and Techiyas Hameisim soon.

 

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