# Are there cultural rules about the position of the body at burial? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 18, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cultural-rules-about-the-position-of-the-body-at-burial/380977 "2006-11-18T20:52:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![According\_to\_Pliny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cultural-rules-about-the-position-of-the-body-at-burial/380977/1 "2006-11-18T20:52:52Z")
I know many ancient graveyards discovered had every body facing the same way. And I know some cultures pretty much stuck to fetal position. I’m not sure if this was supposed to be significant. I know people who die of various causes, such as exposure to cold or food poisoning may simply die in a crouched position. And there’s the practical aspect, that a tighter body shape makes for a smaller grave hole to dig. But do people today, say by country or by religion, prefer to all face north or east, face up or on their sides, etc.? And are there restrictions on being buried vertically, standing or sitting? What about stacked burials? This is often done in mausoleums, of course, and catacombs, but would there be rules about a man and wife having coffins stacked underground? ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cultural-rules-about-the-position-of-the-body-at-burial/380977/2 "2006-11-19T00:39:31Z")
Are Muslims supposed to be buried with their heads toward Mecca, or is that a UL? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cultural-rules-about-the-position-of-the-body-at-burial/380977/3 "2006-11-19T14:50:04Z")
[QUOTE=According to Pliny] IWhat about stacked burials? This is often done in mausoleums, of course, and catacombs, but would there be rules about a man and wife having coffins stacked underground? [/QUOTE] Double deep burials are quite common, and permitted in many cemetaries. My dad was buried double deep, so Mom can join him when her time comes. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cultural-rules-about-the-position-of-the-body-at-burial/380977/4 "2006-11-19T14:53:43Z")
[QUOTE=Rysdad] Are Muslims supposed to be buried with their heads toward Mecca, or is that a UL? [/QUOTE] That was the case with my FIL so it is not an UL although I can’t say that it is universal. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cultural-rules-about-the-position-of-the-body-at-burial/380977/5 "2006-11-19T15:07:23Z")
By custom, when possible, Muslims are buried facing Mecca. Since it is impolite around here to show the soles of your feet, this means the body is laid on the (left?) shoulder facing the Holy CIty. Christians are usually buried facing the rising sun, although the custom is not very strict. I have even heard on minsters buried facing west, so that upon Resurrection, they will facing their flock. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cultural-rules-about-the-position-of-the-body-at-burial/380977/6 "2006-11-19T19:19:05Z")
[QUOTE=Paul in Saudi] Christians are usually buried facing the rising sun, although the custom is not very strict. [/QUOTE] Er… do you mean in Saudi Arabia? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cultural-rules-about-the-position-of-the-body-at-burial/380977/7 "2006-11-20T03:03:06Z")
No, we do burry Christians here, but don’t tell anyone. Retirees often get cremated and have the ashes sent here for internment. But its a secret.