Dignified Muslim Burials
Donation protected
Help me with giving ‘Dignified Burials’ for those leaving this temporary world
This real-life story started when a community member did not want a chamber grave and requested an ‘earth burial’ from the local cemetery in Bedford. The cemetery were unaware of how to bury the deceased in a traditional Islamic way.
There were no provisions for the 2 tonnes of earth to rest, other than directly on and around the coffin (which is the usual practice of burying the deceased in the UK) the coffin would not be able to tolerate the 2 tonnes of earth and it would eventually collapse, there was also no gap between the coffin and the earth. Majority of the people have limited knowledge when it comes to burials and look towards the Community Teams to help support them through this difficult time.
This is when I became involved with the local cemetery and the local community and with the help and support of my friends & family, I started a voluntary project; the aim was to make a heavy duty wooden box (C24 - Scandinavian treated wood) to lay over the coffin, for the earth to then lay on top of this wooden enclosure. This was a passion I had, I wanted to create something that reflects our religious customs and fits the way Muslims all around the world bury their loved ones. After working with the local cemetery to ensure measurements were accurate, they have now approved my idea and this will conform to the Islamic way of earth burials in Bedford.
The project has come a long way, the team made 16 boxes during the Covid-19 period
(Mar 20 – Sep 20) and all requests were met (Alhumdulillah). A brother from the community has donated a vehicle to transport the boxes, another brother has donated an industrial power tool, both with the intention of Sadaqah-e-Jariyah (Charity), however we are still in need of funds to help towards the maintenance of the vehicle and buying other necessary equipment to keep this great project going.
Any surplus would be re-invested into this project or used for funeral costs for those who have no family (i.e. loss of breadwinners) or support to help with funeral costs.
I hope you will be inspired by my actions and donate generously for this cause with the aim of this becoming a reality for all those wanting a dignified earth burial. No matter how much you give, this will be your reward (Sadaqah-e-Jariyah / charity) in the hereafter.
Extract from the Quran 3:185
Every soul will taste death: كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ
Everyone will embark upon this journey one-day, leaving this temporary world (‘the duniya’) behind and it will be our actions which will help us individually for the eternal abode.
Please join me in making a united community /community effort in raising the standards for earth burials in Bedford and to conform to the Islamic way.
Many thanks,
Oneese Butt (Bedford)
This real-life story started when a community member did not want a chamber grave and requested an ‘earth burial’ from the local cemetery in Bedford. The cemetery were unaware of how to bury the deceased in a traditional Islamic way.
There were no provisions for the 2 tonnes of earth to rest, other than directly on and around the coffin (which is the usual practice of burying the deceased in the UK) the coffin would not be able to tolerate the 2 tonnes of earth and it would eventually collapse, there was also no gap between the coffin and the earth. Majority of the people have limited knowledge when it comes to burials and look towards the Community Teams to help support them through this difficult time.
This is when I became involved with the local cemetery and the local community and with the help and support of my friends & family, I started a voluntary project; the aim was to make a heavy duty wooden box (C24 - Scandinavian treated wood) to lay over the coffin, for the earth to then lay on top of this wooden enclosure. This was a passion I had, I wanted to create something that reflects our religious customs and fits the way Muslims all around the world bury their loved ones. After working with the local cemetery to ensure measurements were accurate, they have now approved my idea and this will conform to the Islamic way of earth burials in Bedford.
The project has come a long way, the team made 16 boxes during the Covid-19 period
(Mar 20 – Sep 20) and all requests were met (Alhumdulillah). A brother from the community has donated a vehicle to transport the boxes, another brother has donated an industrial power tool, both with the intention of Sadaqah-e-Jariyah (Charity), however we are still in need of funds to help towards the maintenance of the vehicle and buying other necessary equipment to keep this great project going.
Any surplus would be re-invested into this project or used for funeral costs for those who have no family (i.e. loss of breadwinners) or support to help with funeral costs.
I hope you will be inspired by my actions and donate generously for this cause with the aim of this becoming a reality for all those wanting a dignified earth burial. No matter how much you give, this will be your reward (Sadaqah-e-Jariyah / charity) in the hereafter.
Extract from the Quran 3:185
Every soul will taste death: كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ
Everyone will embark upon this journey one-day, leaving this temporary world (‘the duniya’) behind and it will be our actions which will help us individually for the eternal abode.
Please join me in making a united community /community effort in raising the standards for earth burials in Bedford and to conform to the Islamic way.
Many thanks,
Oneese Butt (Bedford)
Organizer
Oneese Butt
Organizer
England