TAIPEI, Taiwan (VINnews) — Taiwan’s first Jewish cemetery has opened with the burial of a 73-year-old Israeli man, marking the first time a Jewish funeral has been held at a dedicated Jewish cemetery in the island’s history.

The man, who had lived in Taiwan, was laid to rest this week in a ceremony attended by relatives who traveled from Israel and other countries. Members of ZAKA’s international division and Chabad emissaries from across East Asia assisted with the funeral and burial in accordance with Jewish tradition.

Until now, Jews who died in Taiwan were typically transported to Jewish cemeteries in other countries for burial.

Baruch Nidam, head of ZAKA’s international division, said volunteers from Hong Kong traveled to Taiwan at the request of local Chabad Rabbi Shlomi Tabib to help oversee the burial.

Rabbi Mendy Rabinowitz, a Chabad emissary in Hong Kong who also serves as ZAKA’s East Asia commander, said the new cemetery marks an important milestone for Taiwan’s Jewish community and will allow future burials to take place locally.