Dear Temple Beth David members,

The Temple Beth David Ritual Committee, with approval by the TBD Board of Trustees, has arranged for Eternal Hills Memory Gardens to designate a Jewish burial area for our congregation. Establishing a cemetery and making arrangements for death are not things that we like to talk about, but it is a critical responsibility we have as a congregation. This is an important part of meeting all the lifecycle needs of our membership.

We are enclosing a detailed attachment, which explains many of the questions you are likely to have about our arrangement with Eternal Hills Memory Gardens.

Those of us on the Ritual Committee have worked extensively to consider many variables important to our membership and believe we have made an arrangement that maximizes on most of our needs. We have given consideration to the following:

·         proximity to TBD and the communities where we live

·         affordability to all our congregants

·         minimal up-front financial requirements for our temple

·         inclusive for families with both Jewish and non-Jewish members

·         burial site and ritual consistent with Reform Jewish Law.

Please direct all questions to Julie Epstein-Blankenship at 770-564-2631 or jbe_b@yahoo.com. If you would like to tour the area, get price quotes or purchase specific property for your family, please contact Brenda Carswell, our Family Service Counselor at Eternal Hill, at 770-972-3260.

The Temple Beth David Ritual Committee

TEMPLE BETH DAVID CEMETERY

at

ETERNAL HILLS MEMORY GARDENS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

·         Why does each synagogue/temple need to have its own cemetery? Why don't we just join up with another congregation at one of the existing Jewish cemeteries in town?

Each synagogue/temple does not need its own cemetery or cemetery section. Other congregations in the Atlanta area are far from us and therefore have cemetery sections in areas more convenient to them such as Dunwoody and the north side of Atlanta. Consequently, not only are these cemeteries far from our synagogue, the related costs are more expensive. The only other temple in Gwinnett County is not interested in a joint venture for a Jewish burial site.

·         Where is Eternal Hills Memory Gardens?

Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, located on Highway 78, is easily accessible from the entrance on Parkwood Road. Monuments of other religions are not visible from this entrance.

·         What makes a cemetery Jewish?

A Jewish cemetery area should be distinguishable from the rest of the cemetery. The Ritual Committee has future plans to erect a monument designating the TBD area of Eternal Hills. Rabbi Richard Baroff dedicated our cemetery section with a service before any burials took place.

·         Does this cemetery allow headstones?

Only flat, bronze markers may be used in the area of Eternal Hills that is reserved for TBD. Upright markers are not allowed in this area. A variety of options for designs and sizes are available for bronze markers. This does not conflict with Jewish law.

·         Will my non-Jewish spouse, children or parents be able to be buried in this area?

The plots in the TBD area will be available for purchase by TBD members, TBD family members both Jewish and non-Jewish, and Jewish families who are not members of TBD.

·         How many plots are reserved for TBD? Will our space be limited to current needs or can it increase?

Sixteen burial plots have been reserved for a TBD section of the cemetery at this time. Our congregation has the option to place a monument, trees and/or benches in the easement of this area to identify our section of the cemetery. There is an adjoining area that is yet unmarked and will not be available for purchase to the public in the foreseeable future. This unmarked area will first be made available to TBD to extend the already designated Jewish burial area.

·         How much are these burial plots?

Burial plots in this designated area are $1,400 each. For comparison, the average cost of a plot is $1,800 at Arlington Memorial Gardens an $1,600 at Crestlawn Cemetery. Unlike Eternal Hills, both Arlington and Crestlawn require a significant up front financial commitment.

·         What other costs are normally associated with funeral/burial?

The three areas in which costs will occur are:

1)     the funeral home if a service is not graveside or held in the Temple Beth David Sanctuary,

2)     cemetery costs including burial plot, opening/closing fee, a one time service fee for grounds maintenance, casket, outer burial container (detailed below) and the bronze marker, and

3)      funeral service costs which may include a Jewish funeral director and limousine.

·         When is payment required if we choose to reserve burial plots at TBD's section at Eternal Hills?

If you wish to pre-purchase these services or merchandise, the price will be frozen and guaranteed not to increase. Eternal Hills has offered us a 12-month interest free period and thirty-day delayed first payment to pay for burial plots. This offer is put into effect with a signed contract and 10% down payment. This interest free offer is valid for the year 2001. Eternal Hills can also arrange financing as low as 8 1/2% as needed.

·         Does this cemetery comply with all aspects of Jewish burial law?

Yes. As the property is a perpetual care facility, Eternal Hills requires the use of a five-sided outer burial container. Some earth may be placed over the casket, as is traditionally performed at funerals. All caskets will be placed on earthen ground. The use of this outer burial container without the bottom does not interfere with Jewish law.

·         Who owns/manages Eternal Hills Memory Garden?

Service Corporation International, the largest death-care provider in the world, owns Eternal Hills Memory Garden.

·         What are the benefits of designating our TBD Cemetery in one owned by Service Corporation International?

The benefits this affords families who purchase property at Eternal Hills include perpetual care of the property, relocation benefits, and child/grandchild protection. Relocation benefits allow property and services to be transferred to another SCI location if you move 75 or more miles away form your current residence. Child/grandchild protection is a benefit that provides the same services and merchandise you have pre-purchased for unmarried children and grandchildren under 18 years old if they should pass away. "Away From Home Protection" is a service available for a nominal fee, which will take care of all arrangements necessary to return a person to the Atlanta area should he/she die out of town.

·         Does our congregation normally work with a particular funeral director?

Eternal Hills will work with the certified funeral director of your choice. The TBD Ritual Committee will assist any member in securing a Jewish funeral director.

·         Who can I call for an appointment to get a specific cost quote or tour the site?

Please direct questions to Julie Epstein-Blankenship at 770-564-2631 or jbe_b@yahoo.com. Please contact Brenda Carswell, our Family Service Counselor at Eternal Hills Memory Garden, at 770-972-3260 to tour the property, get specific price quotes or purchase specific property for your family.