Hillside Memorial Park: Flower Rules, Hours and Jewish Customs

Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary is a Jewish cemetery near Los Angeles, on Centinela Avenue (its address is in Culver City). Its flower rules are different from most cemeteries, and they surprise people. Here is what Hillside says, from its own website.

Hours and closures

• Visiting and business hours: Sunday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Mausoleum: Sunday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Closed every Saturday for Shabbat, and on certain Jewish holidays. Hillside posts the dates on its holiday observances page; check it before planning a visit around a holiday.
• Phone: (800) 576-1994.

Flowers: ground graves and wall spaces are different

• Ground graves: artificial flowers and potted plants are not permitted. Hillside explains that the wires in artificial flowers are a hazard to its grounds staff. Fresh cut flowers are the option here.
• Wall crypts and niches: fresh or artificial flowers may be placed, as long as they do not cover neighboring memorials.
• Removal: wilted flowers are cleared regularly, and Hillside may remove any flowers when their appearance calls for it.

Hillside also runs its own floral service, placing fresh flowers weekly, for holidays, or for a yahrzeit.

Jewish customs at the grave

• Flowers at the funeral: Hillside notes that flowers are generally not brought to Jewish funerals. Visiting later with flowers is a personal choice many families make.
• Stones: many visitors place a small stone on the headstone to show someone came. Our guide to Jewish grave customs explains why.
• The unveiling: the headstone is traditionally unveiled within twelve months of the death, often around the first anniversary.

Finding a grave

Hillside does not offer an online grave search. Call the office before your visit for the location, and allow time, since the office is closed on Saturdays.