Question:
Can one visit the cemetery on Erev Yom Tov?
Answer:
Hi
In general, yes, one may visit a cemetery on erev Yom Tov. On erev Rosh Hashana and erev Yom Kippur there were places that had the minhag specifically go to the cemetery to daven then. There are those who say that when visiting the cemetery on erev Pesach before chatzos (midday) then one may daven there, however after chatzos, one should only say tehillim , but not any of the special tefillos. When visiting a kever on erev Yom Tov after chatzos we don’t say a hashkava, like visiting a cemetery on a day that we don’t say tachanun.
Best wishes
Sources:
Rema Orach Chaim 581-4 regarding Rosh Hashana “וְיֵשׁ מְקוֹמוֹת נוֹהֲגִין לֵילֵךְ עַל הַקְּבָרוֹת וּלְהַרְבּוֹת שָׁם בִּתְחִנּוֹת, וְנוֹתְנִים שָׁם צְדָקָה לַעֲנִיִּים (כָּל בּוֹ).” , also see rema 605-1 regarding erev Yom Kippur וְיֵשׁ מְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁנּוֹהֲגִין לֵילֵךְ עַל הַקְּבָרוֹת וּלְהַרְבּוֹת בִּצְדָקָה, וְהַכֹּל מִנְהָג יָפֶה. Regarding Erev Pesach see Nitei Gavriel chap. 83-10. Orchos Rabeinu (old edition) vol. 1 pg. 404, Nitei Gavriel chap. 82-11.
