Every element of the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery’s design is rooted in Islamic values, from grave orientation to the natural landscape creating a sacred and peaceful final resting place.
At the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery, our design philosophy is rooted in Islamic traditions, natural harmony, and spiritual reflection. We integrate the existing natural landscape with thoughtful planning to create a serene and respectful final resting place for Ottawa’s Muslim community.
The design reflects simplicity, modesty, and functionality. Ensuring that the focus remains on meeting the community’s essential needs and honouring the deceased in a manner befitting Islamic principles.
We accept donations through multiple convenient methods. All donations are tax-receipted. Charitable Registration No. 894375187RR0001.
Every grave at OMC is precisely aligned toward the Qibla at 57° true north, ensuring the deceased is positioned on their right side, facing Mecca, in full accordance with Islamic requirements. This is non-negotiable in our design and is verified for every burial.
Islamic tradition teaches that all people are equal in death. Our cemetery design reflects this. Standardised grave sizes, modest markers, and uniform spacing ensure that no one is elevated above another, regardless of their status in life. Elaborate monuments or markers are not permitted.
We integrate the existing natural landscape into the cemetery design. Preserving trees, natural contours, and the environment wherever possible. This reflects Islamic teaching on environmental stewardship (Khalifah) and creates a naturally peaceful, calming space for visiting families.
The cemetery provides clear pathways, accessible routes, and peaceful open spaces for families to visit, pray, and reflect. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged visiting graves as a reminder of the hereafter. Our design makes visitation easy, comfortable, and spiritually meaningful.
Islamic guidance emphasises simplicity and practicality. Our design prioritises functional infrastructure. Proper drainage, accessible paths, a reliable water supply, and organised grave rows over decorative elements. Every design decision serves the community's practical and spiritual needs.
From the outset, OMC was designed with expansion in mind. The cemetery layout and infrastructure supports phased development. Phase I, II, and III share a coherent design language, ensuring that future graves are as well-integrated and dignified as the earliest ones.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to bury the dead quickly, simply, and with full dignity. Every design and operational decision at OMC is made with the Sunnah as our guide, from the grave orientation to the height of grave markers.
In accordance with Islamic tradition, grave markers at OMC are simple and modest — a raised stone or marker no higher than a handspan above the ground, inscribed with the deceased’s name, dates, and optionally a short Quranic verse. Elaborate tombstones, raised platforms, or ornate structures are not permitted.
This policy ensures equality among all those buried at OMC, and aligns with the practice of the Prophet ﷺ, who placed a single stone on the grave of his companion to mark the location for visits.
"Visit the graves, for they remind you of the hereafter."
Your donation keeps OMC running and expanding for future generations of Ottawa’s Muslim community.
Help us expand and maintain Ottawa’s only Muslim cemetery — for current and future generations.
The Ottawa Muslim Cemetery is offering a one-time pre-sale of 500 grave lots—once they are sold, no additional pre-sale graves will be available. This is your opportunity to secure your final resting place next to your loved ones before this offer ends.
