Do you place wreaths on Jewish headstones?

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is not affiliated with any religion or political party. The organization’s yearlong mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

WAA is a guest at the more than 5,300 participating locations where volunteers host ceremonies and place veterans’ wreaths each year. As such, we abide by each location’s rules regarding the placement of wreaths on veterans’ headstones.

Unless otherwise advised by cemetery leadership, WAA advises volunteers not to place a wreath on the headstones of those graves marked with the Star of David out of respect for Jewish custom, which is not to place living flowers, wreaths or laurels on grave sites. We ask volunteers to pause and pay their respects, including saying these servicemembers’ names out loud to ensure they are remembered. There are exceptions, as many families of those servicemembers of the Jewish faith do request a veteran’s wreath be placed. In these cases, their wishes will be honored. We also ask volunteers not to remove veterans’ wreaths on headstones marked with the Star of David, as a family member or loved one may have placed them there on their own.

Our goal as an organization is to use this dialogue to help educate the public about the diversity of our American heritage and the freedoms for which so much was sacrificed, while being respectful of religious beliefs and customs.