Is It Permitted for a Kohen to Enter a Gentile Cemetery?

Shalom rav,

The early authorities disagree whether it is permitted for a kohen to enter a gentile cemetery (see Beit Yosef, Yoreh Deah, end of siman 372). In practice, according to the letter of the law, it is permitted for a kohen to enter a gentile cemetery; however, it is proper to be careful and stringent in this matter (see Shulchan Aruch and Rema, Yoreh Deah there, section 2. See also Teshuvot Veshav VeRafa, part 3, siman 192).

In all opinions, the corpse of a gentile imparts ritual impurity to a kohen through touch and carrying. Therefore, according to the letter of the law, it is forbidden for a kohen to become impure to the corpse of a gentile through touch and carrying (see Shach there, subsection 4. See also all that is discussed in Chazon Ovadia, Aveilut, part 2, pages 52-57).

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs