FatwaFederal TerritoriesFunerals & Death
AL-KAFI #911: PERBAHASAN ULAMA BERKENAAN UKURAN KUBUR
What are the scholarly views on the depth, width and length of a grave, and is it permissible to take payment for handling a deceased person?
Short answer
The size of a grave is not fixed in a specific way, but it must meet certain criteria, such as protecting the body from wild animals and containing its odour.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Funerals & Death
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The size of a grave is not fixed in a specific way, but it must meet certain criteria, such as protecting the body from wild animals and containing its odour. A sufficient depth is chest height of a standing man, the full height of a standing man, or the height of a man standing with arms raised, the last being the most preferred. Scholars mention 3.5 or 4.5 cubits, with 4.5 cubits as the final position, while the common size in Malaysia is 3 x 7 feet. Taking payment for managing a deceased person is permissible as long as it is not excessive and the rate is reasonable.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Berkenaan dengan persoalan mengambil upah menguruskan jenazah kami berpendapat harus mengambil upah bagi setiap golongan muslim.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #911: PERBAHASAN ULAMA BERKENAAN UKURAN KUBUR”, 21 November 2018. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/2790-al-kafi-910-perbahasan-berkenaan-ukuran-kubur-serta-mengambil-upah-menguruskan-jenazah. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/grave-measurements-and-payment-for-funeral-services/