Visiting a Cemetery on Rosh Chodesh

We have Yahrtzeit on Shabbat Can one go to the cemetery on Friday Rosh Chodesh

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

While overly frequent grave visitation is frowned upon, there are times when it is appropriate, and the yartzeit is certainly one of them. Other days include: the end of shiva, the end of shloshim, fast days, especially Tisha B’av, and before the High Holidays.

As you correctly note, there are some days that we are not to visit a cemetery. At the top of this list is Shabbat and holidays, as well as Chol Hamo’ed, and Rosh Chodesh the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot, since it is said that the Neshama is not present on those days.

There are other days in which the propriety of visiting a cemetery is the subject to debate. These days include , Chanuka, and days on which Tachanun is not recited. One should definitely not hold an unveiling during these days.

Based on the above, it is best to avoid visiting on Rosh Chodesh if at all possible. A better solution would be to go to the cemetery on Thursday or Sunday. Indeed, going on any Erev Rosh Chodesh is considered to be especially auspicious. We are told that the three days before and after the yartzeit are connected to the yartzeit making either of these days a perfectly valid option.

If, for whatever reason, the family can only assemble on Rosh Chodesh, then the visit may take place on Rosh Chodesh. If this is done, no eulogies should be given and the “El Malei” memorial prayer should not be recited. Other prayers, Tehillim, and Kaddish may be recited.