Only a woman’s grave is to be draped, and a lahd (side-niche grave) is preferable to a simple trench. When the body is lowered, the person placing it says, “In the name of Allah and upon the religion of the Messenger of Allah.” He then positions the deceased in the lahd on the right side, facing the qiblah. The grave is raised about one handspan above the ground in the shape of a low mound. It is disliked to plaster it with gypsum, to build over it, to write on it, to sit on it, to walk across it, or to lean against it. Burying two or more people in the same grave is forbidden except in case of necessity, and then a barrier of soil must be placed between each pair.

Reciting the Quran at the grave is not disliked, and any act of devotion that a person performs and assigns its reward to a deceased Muslim—or even to someone living—benefits that person.

It is recommended for others to prepare food for the family of the deceased and send it to them, while it is disliked for the bereaved family to prepare food for the people.

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Visiting graves is recommended, except for women. When one visits or merely passes by them1 he says: “Peace be upon you, abode of a believing people, and indeed, if Allah wills, we shall join you2. May Allah have mercy on those of you who went ahead and those who came later. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you. O Allah, do not deprive us of their reward, do not test us after them, and forgive us and them.”

Offering condolences to the bereaved is a Sunnah. Weeping for the deceased is permissible, but wailing, loud lamentation, tearing garments, slapping the cheeks, and similar practices are forbidden.