MUSCAT : The resolution focuses on organizing cemeteries in accordance with the set regulations. Prior to this decision, the management of cemeteries was delegated to municipalities.

The resolution, covering several chapters and articles, specify that the competent municipality, in coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, determines the places designated for the establishment of cemeteries, and the competent municipality is responsible for establishing, fencing, managing, and preserving their sanctity.

It states that it is not permissible to establish, modify or repair cemeteries, except after obtaining a permit to do so from the competent municipality and fulfilling all requirements and procedures determined by the Ministry of Health.

Additionally, the height of the grave in private cemeteries must not exceed half the height of the cemetery wall, taking into account the uniformity of the direction of the graves. It is not permissible to open the grave to re-examine the body of the deceased or transfer the remains to another cemetery or outside the Sultanate of Oman, except after obtaining a permit to do so from the Royal Oman Police, or based on a judicial ruling, taking into account the health and preventive measures determined by the competent authority.

When establishing cemeteries, the competent municipality must adhere to the following, states Chapter 2, Article 7 of the resolution:

1. They must be far from the urban space or any possible future extensions of residential or commercial areas or valley streams, and must take into account restrictions for graves whose area ranges between 50 square meters to 100 square metres.
2. It should be far from waste dumping sites or groundwater sources.
3. Fencing with walls should be no less than 2.5 meters with necessary guarding.
4. Provision of pedestrian paths to ensure that graves are distinguished and that one does not walk over them.
5. Provision of electricity, water, and parking for vehicles, taking into account people with disabilities.
6. Allocation of places for the burial of unidentified people, amputated organs or fetuses, or those who died from infectious or epidemic diseases.
   It is not permissible to erect any building inside the graves or erect any additions to them. It is permissible to level/raise the grave in soft places, so that it does not exceed an inch, which ranges between 20 to 25 centimeters.
   When burying the dead in cemeteries, the following must be adhered to –
7. Not burying any amputated part of the human body, except after obtaining a medical permit to do so from the competent authority.
8. Not burying those dead due to infectious or epidemic diseases, except after obtaining a permit to do so from the Ministry of Health and under its supervision.
9. Not burying dead non-Muslims in public cemeteries.
   Chapter 5, which delineates penalties, states the following:

• Anyone who violates the provisions of Articles 2, 4, and 13 of these regulations shall be subject to an administrative fine of no less than RO 50 and no more than RO 200.
• Anyone who violates the provisions of Articles 18, 20, and 21 of these regulations shall be subject to an administrative fine of not less than RO 100 and not more than RO 500.

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