What Factors Are Involved in Relocating a Burial Site?

Exhuming a grave and relocating remains is not common, but it can happen in certain situations. Before relocating or exhuming a grave, first understand the laws, requirements, and key factors involved in the process of relocating a burial.

Laws on Relocating Remains Across the Schools of Thought

Muslims recognize four schools of jurisprudence: the Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali, and Hanafi schools. Each of these schools holds different views on the law regarding relocating remains.

1. The Shafi'i School

Imam Shafi'i prohibited exhuming and relocating a grave before the remains have decayed, out of concern that the dignity of the deceased could be harmed during the exhumation. The Shafi'i school permits relocating remains in emergency conditions.

An example of an emergency condition for exhuming a grave under the Shafi'i school is when the deceased was buried without being washed or given tayammum, even though the body was obligated to be purified. In addition, the Shafi'i school also requires the approval of experts or specialists for permission to relocate the remains.

2. The Maliki School

The Maliki school allows relocating a grave subject to several requirements. These include that the remains are not damaged, that the dignity of the deceased is not diminished, and that the relocation is based on public benefit and common interest.

Relocation for public interest may occur, for example, when the burial land will be used to build a road. In addition, moving the remains to a family grave to make visiting easier is also permitted.

3. The Hanbali School

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal held that relocating remains is permissible as long as the purpose is correct and for the good of the deceased themselves. For example, relocating the remains to bring them closer to the graves of righteous people.

The relocation is valid as long as the smell of the remains has not changed and there is no change to the remains, both before and after burial.

4. The Hanafi School

In line with Imam Shafi'i, the Hanafi school also strictly prohibits relocating remains. Under the Hanafi school, relocating remains is disliked (makruh). Remains may be relocated if they are in an emergency condition, such as when the grave site is threatened by wild animals or natural disasters.

In addition, another condition that allows relocation of a grave is when there is a matter related to the rights of adami or the rights of fellow human beings. For example, jewelry or other property is buried in the grave, or the remains are wrapped in a stolen shroud.

Requirements for Relocating Remains

All four schools agree that remains may be relocated provided certain requirements are met. The following are the requirements for relocating remains according to the four schools:

1. The relocation does not cause damage to the remains;
2. The relocation does not bring disgrace upon the deceased;
3. The purpose of the relocation is for good, such as preventing the threat of wild animals, avoiding natural disasters, or because the land will be used for public facility development; and
4. The new grave is better and more honorable than the previous grave.

If these requirements are not met, relocating the remains becomes forbidden (haram). The heirs are also obligated to consider the reason for the relocation. Remains cannot be relocated simply because of a family's request.

Factors Affecting the Process of Relocating Remains

Besides considering the law and requirements for relocating remains, you also need to understand the factors that affect how the process is carried out, from permission to exhumation to the actual move.

1. Permission from the Heirs

In some cases, remains are relocated because of a request from family members who are heirs. However, it is possible that the relocation stems from pressure from external parties, such as when the grave land is to become the site of a road construction.

Whatever the reason, relocating remains to another grave must have the permission and agreement of the heirs. Before carrying out the relocation, the heirs need to consider the following:

• Consult with family members to reach an agreement that puts the good of the deceased first.
• Choose a new grave site on noble and respectful land.
• Entrust the handling of the remains to a trusted and experienced party.

2. Exhumation of the Grave

Exhuming a grave and digging up a grave are two different things. Digging a grave does not involve lifting the remains out of the burial pit. Exhumation, on the other hand, means bringing the remains out of the grave to settle matters related to the deceased.

Exhumation should be carried out by an experienced funeral service, as it takes a long time and the process is quite complicated. In addition, the party carrying out the exhumation needs to pay attention to the following points.

1. Providing a burial cloth
2. Be careful when moving the body, so that no part of it is crushed or detached
3. If only bones remain, then these are the parts that will be moved and buried, just as a body that has only recently passed away is buried
4. Do not insult, belittle, or do anything else that could tarnish the dignity of the deceased
5. Do not leave the body exposed or show its condition to the general public
6. Close the grave again after it has been dug up

The deceased deserves the same dignity as the living, so people should guard the honor of the deceased and not spread their faults. The Messenger of Allah SAW said, in a hadith narrated by Baihaqi, "Whoever washes a deceased person and conceals their faults, Allah will grant them forgiveness 40 times."

3. Moving the Body to a New Place

The next step after lifting the body is to rebury it in a new location. The procedures for burying a body according to Islamic law include:

1. placing the feet of the deceased in first, then the head;
2. covering the body with cloth when lowering it into the grave pit (lahat);
3. laying the body on its side, neither face-down nor on its back, facing the qibla;
4. using stones or bricks to raise the head;
5. reciting a prayer when placing the body into the grave pit;
6. placing three handfuls of soil into the grave pit from the direction of the head;
7. pausing briefly after the burial, then praying; and
8. placing a headstone or wooden board on the grave as a marker.

Moving the body to a new grave is much like burying someone who has just died. The only difference is that extra care is needed when reburying, because the remains are more fragile, and the requirement for moving a body is to ensure its form is not altered or damaged.

Entrust the Body Transfer to the Experts!

In principle, Islam strictly prohibits moving a body except in emergency conditions. It is therefore important to consider the reasons and requirements for relocating a grave, as well as other factors such as permission from the heirs, the exhumation of the grave, and reburial.

The procedure for relocating a grave is very complicated, just like arranging the funeral of someone who has just passed away. There is a great deal to prepare for a burial, and the process can be very difficult for those who are unfamiliar with funerals.

However, you can entrust the funeral arrangements through funeral services Kamboja. Kamboja provides complete bereavement services, from hearses and coffins to the burial process and assistance with obtaining a death certificate.

Contact us for more information about our funeral services, and for guidance in choosing a Kamboja funeral home package according to your needs.