Q. I ordered a matzeva for my aunt who doesn’t have any children in Canada. Because of the traveling restrictions they will not be able to gather together for a while. Can the ceremony of dedication be postponed for over a year, until we can all join?
A. See next question regarding the obligation and the origins of placing a matzeiva and the ceremony involved. There are different traditions as to when a matzeiva should be erected, some do it at the end of the shiva. (Gesher Hachaim 28: 2: 1, mentions that this is minhag Yerushalaim, See also Minchas Yitzchok 4: 107). Some place it at the shloishim. ((Even Yaakov 46 and others). More common is to do it at the year or before. (Beis Lechem Yehuda (376). see also Kol Bo (3: 37).
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a always advises that one should follow One the traditions of his family or congregation.
The dedication ceremony could indeed postponed as the act of hakomas hamatzeiva is indeed a time for reuniting and strengthening the family ties and maintaining our spiritual sources and traditions.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a