Mourners in southern Israel who are mourning for their loved ones murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7 asked the Minister of Religious Affairs Michael Malkieli about the custom of going to visit the grave at the end of the 7 day mourning period, at the end of the shiva, as per the common custom. The concern is that there is still a danger in the area and going out in these times might not be safe, especially under regular rocker fire.

Malkieli passed along the question to Rav Yosef, the Chief Rabbi. Rav Yitzchak Yosef responded that anywhere that has even a slight possibility of danger, one should not go to the grave at the end of the shiva. One can instead say kaddish and learn some mishna for the merit of the murdered. When the danger passes they can then go to the grave with a quorum of ten men and say kaddish at the grave and perform whatever memorial each family has the custom of performing.

And what about erecting a headstone? Some do that at the end of the shiva, some at the end of the 30 day period, and some at the end of the first year. Should that be delayed because of danger?

Rav Yosef paskened the chevra kadisha should cover the grave with a slab of cement at the end of the shiva and that will satisfy the custom. The actual headstone can be erected after the danger has passed.

source: JDN