Is it permissible to collect the bones of the deceased from earlier times in an "ossuary" due to the lack of burial space?
It must be noted that the sanctity of the deceased remains after their death, and it is not permissible to assault or insult them. This includes breaking their bones, desecrating their grave, or stepping on it. The Shari'ah has commanded respect for the dead and their abodes (graves). The Shari'ah stipulated that each deceased person be buried in a separate grave, and two should not be buried together except out of necessity. If necessity arises, it is permissible to bury more than one deceased person in a single grave, but with due consideration for separating the deceased with an earthen barrier. Men are given precedence over women, and the older in age is given precedence. It is worth noting that some contemporary Egyptian scholars have issued fatwas permitting burial in the existing cemeteries in Egypt out of necessity, due to the unavailability of alternatives. However, the scope of necessity should be narrowed as much as possible. So, if it is permissible for the poor to be buried there, it is not permissible for the rich. And if it is permissible to place the deceased on the surface of the earth in places where burial underground is impossible, it is not permissible elsewhere. And if building on a grave is permissible out of necessity, the building must be only to the extent of that necessity.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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