Cemetary Policies and Procedures

Policies and Procedures for the Use of the Cemetery

The cemetery shall be managed by the Cemetery Committee appointed by the Islamic Center of Charlotte, and the Islamic Society of Greater Charlotte, hereinafter called the Cemetery Committee.

 2. The cemetery shall be for the use of the Muslims who testify that there is no God but  Allah   (سبحانه وتعالى), and Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), His final messenger.

 3. Permission of the Funeral Committee shall be required for the use of the cemetery.

 4. The funeral arrangements shall be under the authority of the Funeral Committee.

 5. Burial is not allowed without the documents and information as required in the application form.

 6. Burial lots shall be assigned by the Committee.

 7. Complete uniformity shall be observed in the structure of the grave site. The graves shall have no super structure, ornamental work, candles, flowers, etc.  A small headstone will   be allowed to mark the grave.

 8. Headstone specification should be uniform shape, size, and information. The Cemetery Committee is responsible for the headstone.

 9. The Cemetery Committee reserves the right to regulate the method of decorating the  graves to harmonize with the surroundings.

Procedures for Burial Request

1. Request for the burial will be made on the application form available at the any Islamic Center in Charlotte.
2. The application for burial should be accompanied by all required documents, such as:
   1. Hospital release certificate/ death certificate
   2. Interstate transportation certificate if the body is brought from out of town
   3. The formal death certificate from the state shall be provided by the family within a month.

Expenses of the Burial

 The burial services cost will be the cost of arrangements plus any unforeseen charges, and that will cover.

1. Opening and closing of the grave
2.  A biodegradable wooden box (if needed)
3.  Transportation of the body from the holding place to the cemetery and funeral home charges
4.  Arrangement for washing the body
5.  Kafan (Shroud) and other materials to prepare the body for burial
6.  Death Certificate fee (To be obtained by the family)
7.  Grave marker and any other materials.
8.  Headstone expenses.

Islamic Rules of Burial and Visitation

The following Islamic rules based on the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and the consensus of most of the Muslim scholars, shall be observed by all using the cemetery for burial and visitation.

1. Preparation of the body (washing and shrouding) will be done according to the Sunnah of the Prophet(S).
2.  The use of a biodegradable box will be allowed if needed, with committee’s approval.
3.  Women are not allowed to be present at the burial while it is under way.
4.  Wailing, chanting, or expression of grief aloud, is not consistent with the Sunnah of Prophet(S) and shall not be allowed.
5.  During the burial all people present should observe the solemnness of the occasion by keeping quiet and not indulging chatting, remembering death and the truth of the Hereafter.
6.  Only Muslim men should carry the body and lay it in the grave.
7.  A deceased female is laid in the grave by her husband, sons, her father, brothers, uncles,  or in the absence of these, by the Imams and elderly persons of the community. A garment should cover the grave during the lay of the body.
8.  The grave should be perpendicular (horizontal) to the direction of Qiblah and should be dug at least 6 feet deep.
9.  The deceased body should be entered into the grave from the direction where his/her feet will be (from the rear of the grave) unless it is not possible to do so.
10.  People lowering the body into the grave should say: “Bismillah wa ‘ala millati/sunnati Rasool Allah”
11.  The body of the deceased should rest on his right side and should be close to the wall of the grave and the face should be toward Qiblah.
12.  The ties of the feet and head should be undone. There is no Islamic teaching to reveal the face of the deceased in the grave.