Cemetery Rules — MCSA Funeral — Muslim Cemetery of San Antonio

01 — Rules

The Sixteen Rules.

01 All Muslims are welcome to be buried in the Muslim Cemetery of San Antonio.
02 Grave sites are not reserved in advance; in keeping with the master plan, the next available site beside an occupied one is used at the time of burial.
03 Out of respect for the simplicity of Islamic tradition, no structure is placed on the grave other than a flat marker bearing the name and dates of birth and death of the deceased.
04 Islamic law gently guides all matters concerning this cemetery.
05 The cemetery serves the burial of Muslim men, women, and children.
06 Interment rights are granted to the deceased and their family; the cemetery grounds themselves remain under the stewardship of the community.
07 The deceased's family kindly agrees to abide by the rules and policies of this cemetery.
08 The deceased's family is kindly asked to contact the cemetery funeral coordinator directly.
09 Funeral arrangements are conducted by the cemetery funeral coordinator on the family's behalf.
10 The cemetery is open to visitors during daylight hours.
11 In keeping with tradition, all graves are kept flush with the ground.
12 Headstones are also kept flush with the ground.
13 Vehicles are kindly parked along the gravel road.
14 Visitors of all genders are warmly asked to observe proper Islamic dress while on the cemetery grounds.
15 Out of respect, please avoid walking over any graves during the burial service.
16 We kindly ask all visitors to keep noise to a minimum and to refrain from walking on top of the graves.

02 — Out of Respect

In keeping with our traditions.

In keeping with the simplicity of Islamic tradition, decorative structures of cement, brick, clay, marble, wood, or similar materials are not placed on the grave.
Out of respect, no writings, inscriptions, symbols, statues, or similar items are added beyond the simple marker.
Fencing is not placed around the grave.
We kindly ask visitors to refrain from walking, standing, or sitting on the graves.
Memorial trees, plants, or floral arrangements are not placed upon the graves.
There are no waste receptacles on the grounds; we kindly ask visitors and families to carry any trash with them when leaving.
In keeping with Islamic tradition, please refrain from loud wailing or crying out at the cemetery.
Pets and animals are kindly not brought onto the cemetery grounds.
All burials in this Muslim cemetery are arranged through the Cemetery Coordinator, in keeping with Islamic law and cemetery practice.

03 — Times

Burials are not held at these times.

Islamic tradition reserves four moments of the day for prayer rather than burial. The Coordinator will gently schedule around these times so that every burial is conducted properly.

Sunrise

Reserved for Prayer

High Noon

Reserved for Prayer

Sunset

Reserved for Prayer

Night

Reserved for Prayer

04 — Facing

Grave facing direction.

All graves at the Muslim Cemetery of San Antonio are oriented so that the deceased faces Makkah (the Qiblah). For San Antonio, this corresponds to a bearing of approximately northeast — roughly 53° from true north.

The Coordinator surveys and confirms the correct facing for every grave site before burial.

N S E W

From San Antonio ≈ 53° NE Qiblah

Islamic law governs all matters concerning this cemetery.

The Sixteen Rules.

In keeping with our traditions.

Burials are not held at these times.

Grave facing direction.

The Cemetery Coordinator can walk you through anything before the day of burial.