Jewish burial society named ‘Hevra – Kadišo’ Riga Charitable Society. (Ebreju apbedīšanas brālība zem nosaukuma ‘Hevra – Kadišo’ Rīgā labdarības biedrība)

By decision of the Minister of Public Affairs No. 279 of 14 August 1938, the society was re-registered under the new name Riga Jewish Funeral Society ‘Hevra – Kadišo’ (‘Rīgas žīdu apbedīšanas biedrība ’Hevra-Kadišo“).

The society continued the activities of the Jewish burial brotherhood Hevra Kadisha, which had existed in the Livonian Governorate of the Russian Empire since 1749. The re-established society purchased and took over the property of the former society.

The purpose of the society was to ensure a dignified burial for all Jews who died in Riga and to observe rituals and customs. The poor were buried free of charge, while the rest were buried for a fee. A system of categories was in place: it was possible to be buried for 200 roubles in the first category, for 100 roubles in the second category, and for 37 roubles 59 kopecks in the third category. The poor were buried in the third category (prices in lats are not specified). The society received funds from one-time entrance fees, fees for the burial of wealthy Jews, voluntary donations and bequests, a 10% levy on the erection of monuments, and income from capital.

Archival source: LSHA, Fund 1536, inventory 11, file 235, p. 1582; Fund 3188, inventory 1, files 1, 11.