Some authorities in Eretz Yisroel claim there is a major crisis with burial plots in cemeteries. In recent years, about 50,000 people passed away annually ל"ע. 250 kevarim fit in one dunam. This means a space with an area of about 450x450 meters is needed to hold everyone who passes away each year.
Due to the great crisis [created due to their worry about the number of expected deaths in the coming years and/or the high price of land, upon which high rise apartments can be built instead of designating land for burial], some groups have proposed alternative burial methods. The idea is to save space and maximize use of the space set aside for burial. Just as they use height and depth to solve the housing crisis, they similarly suggest using height and depth for burial methods. Many cemeteries throughout Eretz Yisroel have already adapted various ideas in motion and are changing the form of burial and causing “improper menucha.” The problem is that many of them are not accepted according to halacha. Thus, one who fears Hashem’s word should be careful not to fall into their trap. One should be certain to only buy plots that fit with our long-standing tradition and that strictly comply with halacha, as we will explain.
