About the Department of Families, Commemoration and Heritage

Guided by the principle of "With an eye that sees, an ear that listens, and a heart that understands," the Department of Families, Commemoration, and Heritage honors those who gave their lives for Israel's freedom and existence. The department provides bereaved families with sensitive, thorough support and personal care.

Support for bereaved families began in the 1950s through the Rehabilitation Department, which provided assistance those injured during security operations, disabled IDF veterans, and bereaved families. In February 2005, the Rehabilitation Department was divided into two departments: the Disabled Veterans Rehabilitation Department and the Department of Families, Commemoration, and Heritage.

The activities of the Department of Families, Commemoration, and Heritage are based mainly in two state laws:

• The Fallen Soldier's Families (Pensions and Rehabilitation) Law, 1950: This law defines the right to pensions and benefits for bereaved parents, widows, and orphans, and serves as the legal basis for the activity of the Department of Families, Commemoration, and Heritage as the body caring for bereaved families.
• The Military Cemeteries Law, 1950: This law is the basis for the establishment of the Soldier Commemoration Unit, which was founded to shape the state and public commemoration in the State of Israel, and to help the families of the fallen who sought to remember and commemorate their loved ones.

The Department consists of several units that set policies, develop services, allocate resources, and manage complex cases.

The Department provides services nationwide through six regional offices and two branch offices, staffed by social workers and welfare workers who offer personal, accessible, and professional support. With deep familiarity with the families, staff members work with a strong sense of mission and moral obligation to honor and cherish the fallen and to commemorate their legacy.

The support provided to bereaved families includes assistance in coping with the loss, monthly pensions, various benefits, and commemoration of the fallen.

As part of its work, the Soldier Commemoration Unit is responsible for the burial of the fallen and for establishing and maintaining military cemeteries and burial plots. The unit also organizes state ceremonies, documents the life stories of the fallen, and leads Israel's Memorial Day events.

The Department dedicates resources and sets clear goals to improve the service in line with its vision. Each unit, division, and regional office has defined responsibilities and missions, as well as additional activities such as developing and operating services for eligible families, organizing visits and memorial services at the National Memorial Hall for Israel's Fallen on Mount Herzl, preserving the legacy of Israel's fallen, maintaining security heritage museums across the country, drafting regulations, conducting visits to maintain contact with families in every region, and more.

As of 2017, the Department is also responsible for managing the Museums Unit, which organizes the activity of ten national museums across Israel. These museums create a historical continuum from the early days of Zionism, through the history of Jewish defense forces, to the story of the Israel Defense Forces.

The Department's call center provides immediate personal assistance to anyone seeking information or clarification regarding their rights.

Our call center

Phone: 03-7776700

Operating hours: Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM