The Soldier Commemoration Unit
The state body responsible for commemorating the fallen and passing on their legacy
About the unit
The Soldier Commemoration Unit in the Department of Families, Commemoration and Heritage was established in 1949 and in light of the Military Cemeteries Law, 1950, which defines eligibility for burial in military cemeteries.
The unit is divided into four commemoration districts: the North, Central, Jerusalem, and Shfela and South districts. They are responsible for the maintenance of military cemeteries, military burial plots, and military graves in civilian cemeteries across the country.
Our responsibilities
Burial, funerals, and memorial services
The Soldier Commemoration Unit ensures the dignified burial of the fallen defense and security forces of Israel, and supports bereaved families. Additionally, the unit is in charge of the maintenance of military cemeteries and the graves of the fallen, including upkeep and cleaning. It is done to honor the fallen and to provide families with an appropriate place for remembrance and reflection.Organization of Memorial Day ceremonies
The unit is responsible for holding 58 official ceremonies at military cemeteries and memorial sites across the country on Memorial Day. It also assists organizing memorial ceremonies over the year at the Memorial Hall, for relevant associations, and at IDF bases, by providing logistical means for the ceremonies, preparing ceremony contents, and making the ceremonies accessible to people with disabilities.Organization of memorial projects to pass on the legacy of the fallen to future generations
The memorial projects present diverse materials and vary in their spirit. They include the Izkor website, where the life stories of the fallen are shared, and the book Gevilei Esh, which commemorates their creations.Assistance for public associations, councils, and municipalities with commemoration activities
Branches of Yad Labanim, schools, and youth movements can apply for commemoration assistance through the municipalities. Please inquire about the assistance process in advance by contacting the Monuments, Commemoration Projects and Izkor Division, by phone at 03-7380260/2.Assistance to military associations in renovating and maintaining the monuments commemorating the fallen of different corps
In accordance with the National Parks and Memorial Sites Law, and with the decisions of the inter-ministerial committee for the renovation and maintenance of monuments. To request assistance, please contact the Monuments, Commemoration Projects, and Izkor Division at 03-7380260/2.Ongoing maintenance of military cemeteries, military burial plots, and military graves in civilian cemeteries
In order to maintain a uniform appearance of military cemeteries and military burial plots, in accordance the Military Cemeteries Law, 1950, it is prohibited to add items of any kind on or beside the grave. For any requests related to grave maintenance, inscription changes, or tombstone repairs, you can contact the call center at 03-777-6700.
The Public Council for Commemoration of Fallen Soldiers
In 1951, the Minister of Defense appointed a public advisory council tasked with advising the Minister of Defense on actions to commemorate the fallen defense and security forces of Israel. The council's team, appointed by the Minister of Defense, consists of representatives of bereaved families and represents various sectors and the entirety of Israeli society.
The Soldier Commemoration Unit regularly operates the public council by coordinating meetings, topics for discussion, and decisions. The council's roles are defined in the Military Cemeteries Regulations (Roles of the Public Council for Soldiers' Commemoration), 1956.
The council's work procedures: The council's term, the composition of council members, the process of appointing council members, the council's chairperson, termination of membership in the council, council's methods of operation, procedure for raising topics for discussion by the council, holding repeated discussions by the council, permanent committee, temporary (ad hoc) committees. The public council's meetings are attended by the Deputy Director General and Head of Department of the Families, Commemoration and Heritage at the Ministry of Defense, the Deputy Head of the Department and the Head of the Soldier Commemoration Unit at the Ministry of Defense, and a representative of the legal advisor to the security forces.
The public council operates in accordance with Section 12 of the Military Cemeteries Law, 1950.
