Chevra Kadisha, also known as Erlton Jewish Cemetery, is managed by the Jewish Community in Calgary. Established in 1904, the cemetery now holds approximately 2,182 known interments. The cemetery is about 6 to 7 acres in size and is currently still active. The burials are conducted in adherence of Jewish traditions.
The cemetery is mostly flat with fencing around the perimeter with a gate near the west end of the cemetery. Most of the grave markers are black upright, slightly angled stones. The are a few large trees among the graves and a large hedge blocking the cemetery from Macleod Trail.
There is an Alberta Heritage Marker attached to one of the gate posts, text from which is below.
Chevra Kadisha of Calgary (1904)
Chevra Kadisha (“Holy Society”), Calgary’s oldest Jewish organization, is a not-for-profit society which serves all of southern Alberta and continues the age-old Jewish tradition of preparing and burying the dead with dignity and proper ritual. Its volunteers are guided by the principle of Kvod Hamet - honour for the deceased.
Chevra Kadisha was formed in 1904, when the death of infant Goldie Bell prompted her father, Nathan, and community founder Jacob Diamond to buy a small cemetery site in what became the Erlton district. The society was incorporated in 1914 with Charles Malin as president.
Chevra Kadisha expanded the Erlton cemetery and later became responsible for burials in the Beth Israel (renamed Beth Tzedec) Memorial Park and the Jewish section of Queen’s Park Cemetery.
By 2013, the Erlton cemetery was fully reserved.
Burials were initially carried out in cooperation with McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes which continues to provide some support services. In 1961, Chevra Kadisha memorial chapel opened on 17 Avenue SW and these functions were performed on site. This building was sold and in 2005 a chapel was opened adjacent to the new Chevra Kadisha burial grounds on 37 Street SW to meet the needs of the Jewish community for generations to come.
Placed by the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta, 2014