Muslim Burials Walsall
C/o 76 New Mills Street, Walsall, WS1 4LF.
Website: [email protected]
M. Hussain:
M. Nadat:
Your Ref:
Our Ref:
01922 721211 / 07956 422144
01922 645324 / 07533 546826
09_03
M. Aslam (MBE):
M. Ravat:
Hazi Junab Ali:
01922 442861
01922 719485
01922 637567
Date:
5 April 2009
Mr. Steve Billings / Mr. Peter Smith
Bereavement Services,
Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council,
Willenhall Lawn Cemetery,
Bentley,
Short Heath,
Willenhall,
WV12 4AE
RE: Muslim Burial Without Coffin
Dear Steve/Peter,
Further to our last e-mail communication regarding burial without coffin, MBW will be pleased to demonstrate how this
can be possible without compromising Health & Safety, anytime after 6th May 2009.
However, I like to state that normal burial procedure, currently used in burial with coffin, will not change in
implementing our compromised version (to ensure Health & Safety), procedure of burial without coffin. With this fact
in mind, the decision to hold the demonstration remains for you both to make.
Coffin Design:
The new design of the coffin, as illustrated below, will have two elements; re-useable ”COVER” and single use BASE.
Transportation:
The body will be transported to the cemetery in the same manner as currently in practice, either a hearse or adapted
van/ambulance, at the discretion of the family concerned.
Created to Serve the Community
The Muslim Burial Committee is an organisation committed in providing support and information to family of the bereaved in relation to mechanisms
and procedures associated with occurrence of death within the Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council. The organisation is officially recognised as a
key link by both, the Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council and all the Muslim organisations within the Borough. Please see our Website for details.
Grave Preparation/Lowering/Closer:
Grave will be prepared and the body lowered in the same manner as current practice.
Grave Arrangement
The Timber Set Requirements
The timber quantity and measurements in cm are
as follows:
SLATS:
14 pieces – 5 cm x 15 cm x 76 cm
UPRIGHTS:
4 pieces – 10 cm x 10 cm x 46 cm
CROSS MEMBERS:
2 pieces – 10 cm x 10 cm x 215 cm
PEGS:
4 Pieces – 5 cm x 5 cm x 40 cm
The Grave
The dimensions of the grave are a standard 7ft (length) x
2½ft (width) x 4ft (depth), hence the conversion in cm is
approximately 215 cm (length) x 76 cm (width) x 125 cm
(depth).
The digging of the grave should be accurate to allow the
timber set to fit snugly.
Once the grave is dug the four uprights are placed in the
grave, one in each corner (as shown).
Each upright is then secured in the grave by inserting or
hammering one peg into the ground.
The peg should butt up against the upright (half way) while
the upright is placed in the corner of the grave (as shown).
The two cross members are then placed on top of the
uprights, one along each length of the grave. As the cross
members are exactly the length of the grave the ends of the
cross members may have to be hammered into position to
sit snugly on the uprights.
Lowering the Body
Once the uprights and cross members are securely
in place the deceased is then lowered into the
grave, again in the same manner as currently
practiced.
The “BASE” will remain in the grave
Closer
The 14 slats are then placed across the cross members and along the length of the grave with minimum gap
between them as possible.
The family, friends and those attending the service then back fill the grave, after which the Imam makes final
supplication to end the burial procedure.
Whilst I do hope that the above explanation is to your satisfaction, please do not hesitate to contact me at anytime,
should you require further clarification.
Looking forward to on-going cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Mahmood Ravat
Secretary: Muslim Burials Committee
Created to Serve the Community
The Muslim Burial Committee is an organisation committed in providing support and information to family of the bereaved in relation to mechanisms
and procedures associated with occurrence of death within the Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council. The organisation is officially recognised as a
key link by both, the Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council and all the Muslim organisations within the Borough. Please see our Website for details.