1. The Cohanim males can enter a cemetery but cannot get close to a grave or a dead body. They must keep a distance of approximately 6 feet (4 Amot) from a lifeless body or a grave. Likewise, it is forbidden for them to be under a roof or even under a tree, which covers a lifeless body, even though the distance might be more than 6 feet.
2. In some Jewish cemeteries, there is a special area where all the Cohanim remain during the ceremony. The Cohanim stand on the sidewalk in our community cemetery during the burial ceremony. Usually, the grave site for Cohanim that passed away is close to the edge of the burial site, so they don’t have to walk through the other graves. Depending on the time of the year, in the community cemetery (New Montefiore) the tree branches cover the whole avenue of access to the grave site. In that case, the Cohanim should not stand or walk under those trees. They should find an alternative access route by one of the lateral streets.
3. In case one of the seven direct family members passes away (father, mother, son, daughter, brother, single sister, and spouse), the Cohen comes near the lifeless body, and he is allowed to have contact with it or the coffin until the end of the burial ceremony.
4. When there is no other possible way, the direct relatives could go in proximity to other graves to accompany the coffin to its final destination. When the ceremony is over, they should leave the burial site by the shortest way.
5. Women who are daughters of a Cohen or married to a Cohen do not have any restriction regarding access to the cemetery or being in contact with a dead body.
