Burial Process in Makkah al-Mukarramah
[Last Updated: 27/03/24]
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In the name of Allāh, the Most Beneficent the Ever Merciful.
Losing a loved one is a profound and challenging experience, and when it happens away from home, understanding the local burial procedures becomes essential. In Makkah al-Mukarramah, the holiest city for Muslims, the process is imbued with cultural and religious significance. Here's a detailed overview of what to expect and how to navigate the burial process in this sacred city:
- Immediate Action: When a loved one passes away, the first step is to contact the authorities immediately. Call the available emergency services such as ambulance or police (911/999) to initiate the necessary procedures for investigation and transportation of the deceased to the hospital.
- Hospital Procedure: Upon arrival at the hospital, the deceased will undergo examination by hospital staff. A crucial document provided at this stage is the death report, which is signed and stamped by the attending doctor. It's imperative to retain all relevant documents, including the original death report, as well as the deceased's passport and visa.
- Coordination with the British Consulate: For non-Saudi nationals, obtaining a No Objection Letter from the British consulate is an essential step in the burial process. To do this, contact the British Consulate in Jeddah during their working hours and provide necessary documentation, including the deceased's passport, visa, and the death report from the hospital.
British Consulate Jeddah
Tel: 012 622 5550
Opening times 8am-3pm Weekdays (Ramadhan 9am-3pm)
- In order to receive the No objection Letter you will need to provide the British consulate a copy of:
- Deceased Passport
- Deceased Visa
- Family member Passport and Iqamah (if resident)
- Death report by hospital
- Letter of consent of burial in Makkah (this can be a a sentence mentioning "named family member" giving consent to burial of "deceased name" in Makkah , Saudi Arabia.
These documents should be sent as PDF copies via email, along with a valid Saudi contact number for consulate communication.
- Receiving the No Objection Letter: Upon receipt, the consulate typically issues the No Objection Letter within 1 to 2 hours.
- Releasing the Body: Once you have received the No Objection Letter by the consulate return back to the hospital and provide all relative documents to doctor:
- Deceased Passport
- Deceased Visa
- Deceased death Report
- Family member Passport / Iqamah and visa
- No Objection Letter from British Consulate signed and stamped by them
It's important to note that a family member with an Iqamah can facilitate the process, as all services are linked to their Absher account. The hospital will then release the body for further arrangements. There will be a number of papers the family member will have to sign for medical records at the hospital
- Ritual Washing (Ghusl) of the Body: Following the release of the body, it will be transported to a designated Ghusl center along with family members.
- Funeral Prayer (Janazah Salah): After the Ghusl is completed, the next step is performing the Janazah Salah. This prayer is typically conducted in a designated area near the Haram. Special carts are provided to transport the deceased and family members to the prayer area from the ambulances. This area is located near the Safa Marwah side of the Haram.
- Burial: Once the Janazah Salah concludes, the deceased and family members are transported back to the ambulances and sent to the graveyard for burial.
Most foreigners are buried in the Ash- Shuhada al-Haram graveyard, located on the outskirts of Makkah. Requests for burial in Jannah al-Mu'allah, a cemetery reserved for residents, must be made beforehand. After the burial, the staff will provide the block number and grave number for future reference. Buses are usually provided for transport back to the Haram area.
- Obtaining the Death Certificate: The day following the burial, visit the following location to obtain the death certificate
Bring the original copies of the following documents:
- Original copy of the death report from the hospital
- Passport and visa of deceased
- Passport and visa (if not resident) or Iqamah (if resident) of family member
- Submit these documents to the reception, where you will receive a ticket.
- Take the ticket and submitted papers to a separate building within the complex, and inform the receptionist that you are there for the شهادة المتوفي (Death Certificate).
- After providing the necessary information and signing relevant documents, you will be given the death certificate, which will be in Arabic.
- Take this certificate to the "Mudeers" office and get it signed from him to complete the process.
- This certificate will need to be translated by the Saudi Embassy in London which will be used as evidence of death for all further procedures in UK.
Losing a loved one is undoubtedly a difficult time, but understanding the burial process can help ease the burden. By following these steps, families can navigate the process with respect, dignity, and adherence to cultural and religious customs. May Allah grant peace and solace to all those who have lost loved ones, and may He grant them Janatul Firdous, the highest level of paradise.