The IDF and the Ministry of Defense have established a joint team that will examine the possibility of allowing soldiers to choose the nature of their burial through individuals who are not first-degree relatives | Committee Chairman MK Kariv: “This is a difficult but not complex issue, the IDF needs to make brave decisions here. Where there is a declared and clear will of the soldier regarding their burial, it should override the different will of their family members.”
The Committee on Immigration, Absorption, and diaspora affairs, chaired by MK Gilad Kariv (Labor), convened today (Tuesday) for a follow-up discussion on burial arrangements for fallen soldiers without family next of kin.
Following the last discussion, the committee approached the minister of Defense with a request to instruct IDF officials to find a solution that does not depend on a lengthy legislative process. The committee’s proposal was to give soldiers who enlist in the IDF the option to choose, while still alive, the type of ceremony in which they would like to be buried, should they unfortunately fall during their service.
MK Gilad Kariv, Chairman of the Committee on Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs:
“We are dealing with a painful and sensitive issue. The committee has heard in previous discussions the voices of bereaved families, and we want to find the right way to find a solution to the issue even without the need for legislation. Just as soldiers can choose whether to have their sperm collected after their death, they can also determine the nature of their funeral and burial in case of an unfortunate disaster. If the IDF succeeds in formulating a set of procedures, it will be possible to avoid situations of delaying the burial and thus allow soldiers from the Haredi community to be buried in the manner they prefer. Everything must be done to clarify the issue of the nature of soldiers’ burials even before we are required to deal with this matter in a real case, God forbid. This is a difficult but not complex issue, the IDF needs to make brave decisions here. Where there is a declared and clear will of the soldier regarding their burial, it should override the different will of their family members.”
Lt. Col. Shir Nadel, Head of Casualties Department in the IDF: “This is an issue with significant broad implications, and we have held several meetings on the subject in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense. We decided to bring the matter for discussion in the Public Council for Commemoration of the Soldier, which advises the Chief of Staff. The committee emphasized the importance and sensitivity of the issue. Due to the broad implications, we saw that we needed to enter a more in-depth process with a small and suitable team. According to existing regulations, only first-degree relatives can determine the nature of the funeral after a fallen soldier’s death. We want to convene the appropriate forum as soon as possible and discuss the matter.”
Guy Conforti, CEO of the ‘Nidan’ organization: “The issue of the nature of burial greatly concerns soldiers serving in cases where there is a dispute between the soldier and their identity and their first-degree family.”
Hertzel Samuel, Deputy Head of the Families Department at the Ministry of Defense: “The Public Council is composed of nine members headed by Prof. Mor Yosef, and bereaved families are also represented there. Today, according to the law, the decision-making process regarding the burial place and the inscription on the tombstone is done by family members according to a predetermined hierarchy. In the event that we move to change the regulations, it could create new problems, such as a situation where a soldier designated their girlfriend to decide on the nature of the burial, but after a period they broke up, and there was no change regarding her in the IDF forms.”
MK Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid): “There are many dilemmas today, what questions to ask soldiers if, God forbid, a disaster occurs. If a committee is convened, it should discuss broadly a variety of questions such as whether to donate organs, what type of funeral they want, and whether and how they would want to donate sperm in case of death.”
Yair Regev Hass, CEO of the Hillel organization: “In my estimation, there is currently a contradiction between the regulations and the letter of the law, and this situation needs to be corrected even before we reach a disaster.” Ayelet Kroyzer, social activist ‘Yotzim Le’Shinui’: “The defense establishment is dragging its feet regarding a decision on the issue of the nature of burial in case of a dispute between the fallen soldier and their family.”
Committee Chairman MK Kariv summarized the discussion:
“We welcome the establishment of the joint team of the IDF and the Ministry of Defense. The committee insists that the team convene quickly and make an appropriate decision. We request that any decision the team makes be published for public comment. I call on the IDF to clarify the existing legal situation. Every male and female soldier enlisting in the IDF must understand the legal implications of their choice of family members who choose the nature of the burial. In addition, ways of commemoration in military cemeteries that are not through a grave plot should be examined.”
