Israel’s perpetual burial challenge – a qualitative analysis of stakeholder views

Perpetual burial results in incremental, irreversible land consumption. When combined with positive population growth and general land constraints, opportunity costs can be problematic. In Israel, perpetual burial is the default state policy, shaped primarily by religious dictums. Despite the significance of this issue, the challenges of burial policy in Israel have not yet been studied from this perspective. To address this gap, we interviewed 10 relevant stakeholders and analysed the transcripts using a qualitative framework analysis. Four challenges were identified: divergent attitudes towards land in Israel, the religious chassis underlying body disposition, dearth of public involvement, and reactive solutions vs. long-term solutions. We further examined how existing body disposition options relate to these challenges. This analysis identified four key benchmarks for evaluating each option: perceived suitability, religious angles, financial implications, and land-use efficiency. The findings suggest that any future body disposition solution would need to be based on a sound, impartial economic model, be both spatially efficient and accessible, secure broad religious approval while also providing non-religious choices. To ensure long-term viability and support for future body disposition options, it is recommended to augment the current policy framework. The identified benchmarks can support policymakers in such an augmentation.