FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.         When will the Cemetery begin Operations?

Inshaa Allah, the cemetery will begin operating (internment) in June 2012.  The remaining work (conditions when the operating licence was approved) to bring the property to a state where internment can begin is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2012, weather and financing being primary factors.

2.         Is the cemetery dedicated to Muslims?

Yes the cemetery was established to serve the Muslim community in Ottawa and Gatineau and in the surrounding areas, where practical.  The cemetery is incorporated, and is managed and maintained by Muslims in the community exclusively for the Muslim community.

3.         Is the cost of a plot reasonable in comparison with other commercial cemeteries?

Yes.   The cost of a plot is $1000.00 plus HST of $130.00.   There is no cemetery in the area offering plots for less.

4.         Can I buy a plot on instalments? 

Yes.  If you cannot afford to buy a plot with lump sum payment, you can pledge to buy a plot and pay over a period of one year.  You can pay monthly,  or quarterly based on your financial ability.   The same applies for donations.

5.         Why should I buy a plot or plots now? 

The Prophet(SAW) said:  An intelligent person is one who is constantly thinking about and preparing for death (Tirmidhi).
It should also be noted that, based on Islamic principles, the first expenditure to be taken from the estate of a deceased person is his/her funeral expenses. 
From a practical point of view, the following are good reasons why you should not wait to purchase a plot:

• Pre-arranged funeral - Peace of mind for you and your family (one less stress to deal with -make it part of your estate planning)
• Protects your family against inflation (future increased costs)
• Protects against high cash outlay at time of funeral
• A sound investment
• Lowest cost of a burial plot (remarkable low price)
• Plot is transferrable if not used or needed
• Help to provide funds now to finance the cemetery
  
  

6.   If I buy a plot and decide to leave the country or city, or if Allah wills that I die somewhere else, what happens to my plot in the Ottawa cemetery?

When you buy a plot, you are issued a deed (plot certificate) for the plot.   You can at any time transfer the plot back to the cemetery and you will be reimbursed the cost or you can transfer to a member of your family or someone else designated by you, or you can direct the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery to bury someone else identified by you using your plot.  In any case your investment is secure.

7.         Can I buy more than one plot? 

Yes, you can buy as many plots as you wish.  You will be issued a deed for each plot purchased.  You are the one who decides who will be buried in each plot.

8.         When will I be issued a deed or Plot Certificate? 

Currently, once the cemetery becomes operational in the Spring  of 2012 and provided you have paid for your plot, the deed will be automatically issued to you.   After the cemetery becomes operational, the deed will be issued upon payment.

9.         Will the cemetery be operating based on the Sunnah? 

Absolutely.   The objective of the cemetery is not only to provide a place of burial for Muslims but also to ensure that Islamic traditions are applied.  The cemetery is incorporated and the constitution and by-laws are such that the management of the cemetery will adhere to  the Islamic values and traditions regarding burials.

10.     How can I be assured that the Cemetery will be managed professionally and that my investment and/or internment will be protected?

One of the objectives of the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery (OMC) is to provide affordable burial services for the benefit of the Muslim community.   This also means that the OMC must effectively manage the cemetery on a self-sufficient basis in accordance with provincial laws.

The OMC is federally incorporated with a constitution and by-laws.   The institution will be managed by a volunteer Board of Directors from the Muslim community.  In addition the Cemetery is governed in accordance with the Cemeteries Actand the Province of Ontario has also approved a set of operating by-laws specifically for the cemetery.   Every aspect of the cemetery has provincial oversight and any changes to items such as prices, number of plots, sizes, markers etc, must be approved by the Province.
In summary, the Government of Ontario regulates:

• Location of cemeteries
• Who can own & operate, who can sell plots
• Minimum standards for burials and plots
• Consumer protection (contracts, markers, etc.)
• Trust fund obligations
• By-law and public information requirements
• Registry and reporting requirements
  
  

11. Is there an additional cost to me for maintaining the plot after I buy it and/or after burial?

No.   This is the responsibility of the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery.   When you buy a plot, the Cemeteries Act requires that 40% of the cost of the plot be automatically placed in a Trust Fund called a Care and Maintenance Fund administered by  an independent Trustee.  This means that when you buy a plot for $1000.00, $400 is placed in a trust fund to be used cumulatively for the perpetual care and maintenance of the plot by the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery. 

12.       What are the other costs for a funeral? 

In addition to the cost of a burial plot, other costs include:  opening and closing of the grave, grave markers (optional ), funeral services (washing and preparation of body, casket, and transportation).  The funeral services are currently available from Masjid Omar and the main Masjid (OMA).  Other masaajid are also planning to offer funeral services.  The opening and closing of the grave and grave markers will be available from the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery at the time of the burial, the plots can be purchased in advance.

13.       Besides buying a plot now, how else can I support the cemetery?

Although buying a plot is the best way to support the ongoing development of the cemetery, you can also donate to the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery (OMC).  The OMC is a federally incorporated charitable organization (charitable registration no. 894375187RR0001)and official charitable donation receipt will be issued for any donation (Note: donation receipts are not issued for the purchase of plots).   In addition, if you are financially able you may help by offering non-interest bearing loans (Qard Hasan).

You are also encouraged to promote the Cemetery with other members of the Muslim community, including your family members, Islamic Institutions, friends, colleagues etc.

Muslim organizations can also be proactive by pursuing arrangements with the OMC to acquire a block of plots for use by their members or community members.

14.       Will there be coordination between the masaajid offering funeral services and the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery?

Yes.   Once the cemetery becomes operation in Spring 2012, an established process for acquiring plots or arranging internment will be communicated.   The Ottawa Muslim Cemetery already has in place a 24-hour hotline 613-851-7444.
Masjid Omar and OMA are familiar with the process or procedures   for obtaining death certificates and burial permits.   Description of these documents and the process is available on the OMA website http://www.ottawamosque.ca/mosque_services.php#FuneralServices    and the OMC website.

15.       Is the location of the cemetery far from the mosques? 

The Cemetery is located near Manotick (1668 Manotick Station Rd.) in the south end of Ottawa.  It is approximately 30 minutes from both the main masjid and Masjid Omar.   It is even closer to the new Dar Assunnah masjid and Masjid Assalaam.

16.       How long will the cemetery last the community? 

The cemetery property is 30acres in size.  Approximately 13 acres is being developed in phases. There will be enough plots in the 13 acres to last approximately 80-90 years after factoring population growth and demographics.

17.       Can you describe the design of the cemetery? 

The property is oblong in shape.  There is a road in the centre of the property with plots on each side of the centre road.  This will facilitate easy access to the plots on each side of the road without walking any long distance.  There is a large parking area and an area for a building across from the parking lot.   There is also a turn around in the middle of the length of the property.  Washroom facility will be established at a later date.  In addition, there is a short pathway through the trees to a pond where there will be a sitting area when visiting the cemetery.    The designers have taken into consideration the natural elements of trees and rocks to protect and provide a natural setting.  A temporary gate and sign is in place. This will be replaced once funding becomes available.

18.       How can I get more information on the Cemetery?

You can visit this website where all of the contact information is available.  You can also make a donation online or make a pledge to buy a plot.   On the website you will find reference material on funerals and death.   You can also phone 613-851-7444 to talk to someone from the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery.

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