FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

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The short answer is yes, there are a range of cemetery that may allow purchase of plots directly to the public: 

Kemps Creek Cemetery: Muslim burial area plots can now be purchased at Kemps Creek Cemetery (They have released some plots for purchase directly by the public in the last week)     You can contact Kemps Creek Cemetery on (02) 9826 2273 and ask about pre-need purchase in the Muslim section.   You can also click this link to contact them regarding purchase: https://kempscreekmemorialpark.com.au/planning-ahead/muslim-burial-lawn/  The Kemps Creek Cemetery office will be able to help answer your questions with regards to purchase of burial plots.   

Macarthur Memorial Park: The Muslim burial area plots within Macarthur Memorial Park are yet to be released for sale - we understand there is a tentative timeline of mid 2025 for the launch of pre-need Sales of Muslim burial area plots.   Other cemeteries with Muslim sections and possible pre-need plot sales available - You will need to contact the cemetery directly to find out if any plots are available for pre-need purchase.   

- Castlebrook Cemetery, Rouse Hill  

- Forest Memorial Lawn, Leppington  

Cemeteries currently with space for At-Need, but no Pre-need availability:

- Rookwood cemetery  

- Narellan Cemetery 

Yes, there are 2 types of forms:   

A) The Authority to Collect deceased form - this form must be completed by the next of Kin of the deceased. This form is presented by the Funeral director upon collecting the deceased from Hospital, Nursing home or Coroners Court Mortuary. 

B) Cemetery forms - depending on which cemetery you choose, there are a set of forms to be completed.   These forms need to be completed by the next of kin of the deceased. They usually include a sales agreement (in case a plot has not been pre-purchased ), an interment authorisation form and terms and conditions.    

It is best to have a plan in place for when a terminal illness has been diagnosed. You can call us to discuss your plans. 0452 629 244   

Things to consider:     

-Will the patient be in Hospital or at home?   

In either case, the funeral director can proceed with collection and Janaza/burial arrangements once the medical certificate for cause of death (Mccd) has been issued by a doctor.     

At home:  If death occurs at home, the next of Kin should contact the registered nurse and/or doctor that was looking after the patient. A registered Nurse can issue a verification of death certificate, which is sufficient for a funeral director to collect and transfer the deceased. BUT, a medical certificate (Mccd) must be issued by a doctor for the burial to proceed.   It is a good idea to discuss possible scenarios, especially the plan for after hours with the doctor in charge of patient care.     

At Hospital:   If death occurs at hospital. The hospital staff will arrange for the doctor to issue a medical certificate and make it available for the funeral director upon collection of the deceased. Due to the hospital being a busy institution, it can take several hours for this process. It is best to discuss with the nursing staff and doctors about the need for them to fast track their process to ensure that timely release and collection of the deceased can occur.     In either case, the funeral director can only make a booking at the cemetery once they have received the medical certificate (Mccd) upon collection of the deceased. The funeral director must have the original certificate and the family can obtain a copy from the funeral director.    

In case of unexpected death at home, hospital or due to an accident.     When death is unexpected, the process follows the same rules for when death is expected. The cause of death must be determined or a coroner’s order to allow for the burial to proceed.     

A) unexpected death at home:   The family should call an ambulance right away. If the deceased person was ill or had health issues, the family can contact their doctor to obtain a medical certificate.       In the case where the cause of death is unknown/unexpected - the ambulance staff will contact the police and this becomes a matter for the police.       The police will transfer the deceased to the coroners court in Lidcombe, while investigations are completed to ascertain the cause of death. The family can request the coroner to release the deceased for burial at the earliest possibility due to religious requirements of completing the burial as soon as possible after death. We encourage the family to contact us as soon as possible after death has occurred, so we can guide the family through the process.   Once the coroner has issued their order, the funeral director is able to collect the deceased from Lidcombe and continue with Janaza and burial arrangements as per the family’s wishes.  

B) unexpected death at hospital:  The family should contact us on 0452 629 244, so we can guide the family through the process.   The hospital will complete a coronial checklist and determine if the deceased needs to be transferred to the coroners court to complete an investigation and ascertain the cause of death.   If the hospital determines that they are able to issue a medical certificate (Mccd) - then the funeral director can collect from the hospital, once the hospital is ready to release the deceased. The funeral director can then continue with Janaza and burial arrangements as per the family’s wishes.    

C) Death due to an accident:   The family should contact the ambulance and allow for the police to do their investigation. The deceased is most likely to be transferred to the coroners court in Lidcombe to determine the cause of death and the coroner will issue release orders.   The family can request the coroner to release the deceased for burial at the earliest possibility due to religious requirements of completing the burial as soon as possible after death. We encourage the family to contact us as soon as possible after death has occurred, so we can guide the family through the process.   Once the coroner has issued their order, the funeral director is able to collect the deceased from Lidcombe and continue with Janaza and burial arrangements as per the family’s wishes.  

As answered above, please contact the medical professionals and also the funeral director on 0452 629  244.   The process is dependent on the circumstances as outlined above.  

In case of an expected death due to illness, a GP can issue a medical certificate (Mccd)  - it is best for the family to contact us as soon as possible after death has occurred. The family will need to inform the GP to issue the medical certificate and if required also collect it from their office and have it ready for when the funeral director arrives to collect the deceased. 

After death has occurred, please contact us on 0452 629 244 to arrange for collection and guidance through the process of obtaining a medical certificate (Mccd).  
We can collect the deceased and transfer them to our facility once the medical certificate / coroners orders have been issued. Yes we have a coolroom facility for keeping the deceased overnight prior to Janaza and burial. The cost of the transfers and use of cool-room facility is included in our flat rate funeral director fee of $1500. If the deceased needs to be in the cool-room for longer than 1 night, this may incur extra charges. It is not recommended to delay the Janaza and burial. 

An official death certificate is issued by the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages - The death must be registered by the funeral director. We will send you the death registration statement form after the burial has been completed. The family needs to complete the form and return to the funeral director. The funeral director will submit this to the department along with the medical certificate. This process can take 2 - 4 weeks, depending on the workload of the department. 

We can collect the deceased and transfer them to our facility once the medical certificate / coroners orders have been issued. The timeline for the collection of deceased is dependent on how long it takes for the availability of the medical certificate / coroners orders / Verification of Death certificate. 

This is a matter for the family to discuss with an Imam or a qualified Sheikh.  
As a funeral director, we do not provide advice on this matter, as there are differences of opinions among the various schools of thought. You can call us to discuss for further clarification - 0452 629 244 

Yes, Non Muslims can also attend the Janaza and cemetery. The level of participation/involvement is a matter for the family to discuss with their preferred Imam or Sheikh.  

The cemetery is responsible to ensure that the burial is safely completed in compliance with Islamic requirements.  

Currently Kemps Creek cemetery uses a 4 sided Timber frame for the body to be placed within. The frame is then covered with Timber planks to ensure the backfill soil is not going to impact the body.  

Rookwood cemetery and other cemeteries use a concrete frame and concrete planks on top.

The family members can lower the deceased into the grave. Usually 2 adults are required to stand within the grave as 3 or 4 adults transfer the deceased to the 2 adults in the grave. We are usually available to guide the family through the process, along with cemetery staff and the cemetery Muslim representative. 

 The payment for the funeral director and cemetery must be completed prior to burial - as the cemetery requires upfront payment to complete the burial booking.  
    The family will pay the funeral director fee and cemetery fee to the funeral director. The funeral director will then pay the cemetery on behalf of the family. Please ask if an invoice/receipt is required.  

The cemetery will send out a package after the burial with Headstone and inscription information. The cost of the headstone and standard inscription is included in the plot purchase cost. And this cost is paid upfront prior to burial.  

AMJCS membership is a way for us to unite and organise the Muslim community with the goal of establishing a Muslim owned and operated not for profit cemetery in NSW. You can sign up or if you were previously a member, you can resume your membership by continuing the yearly donations. Annual Membership period is from one Ramadan to the next. This is a Sadaqah Jariah, with member donations helping us to ensure our facility remains open to all Muslims and we can fulfill the Fard e Kifaya on behalf of the Muslim community. 

If you were a member and have not paid there are no requirements to pay any “arrears” - your membership will become valid again for the current year, if you pay the $100 membership fee. We welcome any extra donations you would like to make for this noble cause.    

Please do not hesitate to contact us anytime for a chat or arrange a suitable time to meet at our office.