Just like a synagogue, a place of study, and a mikvah, a cemetery is one of the key institutions of any Jewish community. Its acquisition and maintenance is a sacred duty, and among the first responsibilities of community leaders.
At the dawn of the twentieth century, the Jewish Community of Lausanne found itself compelled to consider the purchase and development of an new cemetery plot at Avenue du Château in Prilly, because its grant in Montoie cemetery was reaching saturation (to prevent alienation, the graves of Montoie were transferred elsewhere in Prilly in 1950). One can imagine the charge that this acquisition held for the hundred families numbering the community. Not only did they meet the obligation, but they had the foresight and courage to provide sufficient land for all Jews in the canton of Vaud (with the exception of the region of Vevey, which had its own cemetery), for a whole century.
Since the eighties, the issue of the acquisition of a new cemetery is again on the agenda. In 2002, a second cemetery was created in Prilly, at a place named “Woods of Judea”.
Additonally, the CIL now CILV, also runs the cemetery “En Vassin” of the Tour-de-Peilz, as a result of the merger with the Vevey-Montreux Jewish Community in 2008. This site is intended primarily our coreligionists in that area.
All members of the CILV can be buried in one of its cemeteries without payment; a contiguous space is reserved potentially for the surviving spouse.
Jews who are not members of the CILV can also be buried with the purchase of a concession. The price is set by the Committee of the CILV in agreement with the interested party or his family.
The Commission for Cemeteries is responsible for funeral arrangements, in accordance with tradition and in collaboration with Rabbi. It regulates administrative matters with the relevant local authority. A fee is charged pursuant to funeral expenses.
Normally a funeral can take place within 48 hours of death in accordance with the civil law.
Addresses of the cemeteries:
Route de Cery
1008 Prilly
Avenue du Château
1008 Prilly
Chemin de Vassin 27
1814 La Tour-de-Peilz