Monuments
The powerful comfort of remembering
Monuments / markers located at many of our gravesites are important to physically mark the places where family members, loved ones, and future generations return to remember each singular and special life lived.
When planning a monument / marker, a consultation with a rabbi can be extremely helpful in choosing your message. For those with rabbinical guidance, and for those without, each monument in our cemeteries must be approved by THMP according to our guidelines.
Most Jewish monuments / markers include the abbreviation פ״נ which stands for po nikbar or po nitman which means “here lies”.
Other Hebrew text on the monument / marker will be the deceased person’s Hebrew name(s). This is followed by the Hebrew בן (“son of”) or בת (“daughter of“), followed by the deceased person’s father’s Hebrew name(s) and some also include the mother’s Hebrew name(s).
Lastly, often the acronym .ת.נ.צ.ב.ה appears on the bottom of the monument / marker which conveys the prayer that deceased person’s soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life.
The monument / marker then can be provided by one of our participating monument firms.
Monument Unveilings
All monument unveilings must be scheduled with our office. On Sundays, unveilings are only scheduled after 12 p.m. Contact us to schedule your monument unveiling at (416) 635-5595. Our Assembly Hall is also available to you for your gathering.
Please review our guidelines for monument and marker design, including inscriptions, images, and symbols:
- Text and images that provoke levity are not appropriate;
- Human and animal likeness (except stylized raised hands symbolizing Kohanim, and Leviim, stylized lions, and stylized doves) are not allowed;
- Traditional Jewish symbols, including the Star of David, menorah, and washing cup, are permitted;
- One small symbol reflective of the deceased is allowed and must be located on the monument’s front, bottom quarter, no larger than 7.5″ (height) x 7.5″ (length);
- Trademarked or commercial images are prohibited;
- Nothing is to be affixed to a monument or marker; and
- Only specific text is allowed on a monument’s back side: Deceased’s last name, first name and middle name, if desired. Also permitted: “Holocaust Survivor” and a Holocaust Survivor image (Jewish Star of David) and the names of immediate family who perished in the Holocaust. No other words or images will be authorized.
Here is a list of monument firms approved for THMP cemeteries:
Alef’s Fairlawn Monuments 416.784.5268
Benjamin’s Landmark Monuments 416.780.0635
Granite Concepts 416.782.1522 or 905.760.0522
Hamilton Memorials Inc. 905.522.0241
Holyland Monuments 416.755.1964
Howard Izenberg Monuments 416.562.4268
Izenberg-Goldberg Monuments 416.787.0319
Monument Direct 416.640.8380 or 1.877.754.4777
Onlink Monuments Factory Outlet 416.751.1222
Schneider Imaging 905.859.1836
Signature Memorials Limited 1.800.833.1560
Stonecraft Monuments Limited 416.667.1474
Yad Vashem Monuments 416.782.8995
Prices are determined exclusively by mutual consent of the monument firm and consumer. Some firms are related businesses.
“As the generations move on, the cemetery becomes a repository for the history of that community. That history speaks to us of who we were. It reminds us of who we are. It tells us who we may yet become.”
Sidney Freedman, Founder