We always try to bring projects to our community that are vital and relevant to the services we try to provide, and indeed having a cemetery is one of the most important projects that we need for our community.

By the grace of Allah (ﷻ) we were able to utilize phase one of the cemetery in Homer Glen, in which five acres out of the 40 acres are already available for burial use so far.

Now with all the permits complete, phase two is in progress to utilize the rest of the 35 acres, build a 7000 square ft building, and have a water retention pond.

This phase is unique because of the following:

One Stop.

There will be no need anymore to take the body from the hospital or the house to the funeral home, then transport it to the Masjed then to the cemetery once this is completed. A one stop is everything we need in which the body will be transferred to the cemetery directly where it will be washed and prepared for burial, prayers (Janazah) offered, and then the final burial takes place.

Green burial.

This cemetery is licensed for green burial, as close as it can get to the Sunnah practice in Islam, in which there is no requirement for the use of a coffin or the cement vault. The grave will be dug, and the body will be lowered and tilted inside the grave toward Makkah and then slabs of cement or hard wood can cover the body and then dirt will cover the grave.

Long term use.

With the capacity of more than 25,000 graves, this is one of the biggest graveyards for the Muslim community that will serve the need for decades to come, insha Allah. In less than one month we have seen people coming to bury their loved ones from places all over, even from neighboring states like Indiana.

Our own cemetery.

This was always a challenge, as most cemeteries were part of other cemeteries in which some restrictions were applied that do not go along with our practices. This cemetery is only for our use, and it is big enough to serve the needs of our community.

A Community Project.

Although four Mosques took on this project; Bolingbrook Masjed, Mecca Center, The Prayer Center and Al-Mustafa Masjed in Westmont, the services will be available to any Muslim community or Mosque to benefit from it.

A service not a business.

The most important part of this cemetery is that it saves families more than 60% of the average cost for burials in other cemeteries. Regular costs at other cemeteries range between 8000 to 12000 dollars per one burial. The total cost with the Muslim funeral service does not exceed $3500.00 per burial. There are even plans to help cover some expenses for families who are financially challenged.

The project phase Two is estimated to cost around 5 million dollars. We hope that you can pledge any amount to help us build this vital service for our community.

Click Here and choose the Expansion tab to make your donation. It is a Sadaqa Jariyah, a continuous Charity indeed.

By Imam Kifah Mustapha