Funeral & Burial Guide

1. Choose a section

The cemetery consists of two sections: the Islamic Garden and the Persian Garden. Depending on the circumstances of the deceased, you must first select one of these sections for burial. See About the Foundation for who each section serves.

2. Understand the costs

Aramgah currently offers each burial plot at a significantly reduced price compared to similar cemeteries. In addition to the cost of the plot(s), the buyer pays a one-time membership fee to Aramgah and a certificate issuance fee for the purchase confirmation, which Aramgah's treasurer submits to Whitemarsh.

3. Select your plots

You may purchase one or more adjacent plots by reviewing the cemetery map in your selected section. On the map:

• Yellow — sold plots
• Green — used plots
• White — available for sale and selection

Choose the required number of plots from the available spaces — or Aramgah staff will select suitable plots for you.

4. Complete the purchase request and payment

Once you have decided on the number and location of the plots, complete the application to begin the purchase process.

• All Iranian individuals should select the Regular Membership option. Associate Membership is only for non-Iranian Muslims requesting burial in the Islamic section.
• In non-emergency situations, calculate the payment amount using the pricing table above (optionally adding a donation to Aramgah) and mail the check with the purchase request form to: AMG, P.O. Box 67, Wynnewood, PA 19096.

Payment methods

• Check — payable to Aramgah Memorial Garden Foundation, mailed to AMG, P.O. Box 67, Wynnewood, PA 19096.
• Zelle or wire transfer — please contact Aramgah's treasurer for current account details.

After making the payment, please notify Aramgah's secretary or treasurer (phone numbers on the Contact page). You will obtain the death certificate from the hospital or attending physician. Once Aramgah receives the purchase request form, check, and other necessary information, it will contact Whitemarsh to make the required arrangements.

5. Islamic body washing and shrouding

If you require Islamic body washing and traditional shrouding, several funeral homes offering these services are listed on the Service Providers page. You may contact them directly, or use any similar service provider. Upon contact, the funeral home will:

• Pick up the deceased from home or hospital
• Wash and shroud the body
• Store it in refrigeration until burial
• Transport the casket to Aramgah in a hearse

You may choose the type of casket based on your preferences and budget. All costs — washing, casket, transportation — are paid directly to the funeral home. Aramgah has no financial relationship with these funeral homes; they are listed solely to make things easier during this difficult time.

6. Arrange the burial with Whitemarsh

Whitemarsh Cemetery is responsible for grave digging and burial. Contact them in person or by phone during regular business hours on weekdays and Saturday mornings at (215) 646-7500. They will be expecting your call based on the information provided by Aramgah. Whitemarsh charges directly for:

• Grave digging (higher fees on weekends). You may contact Whitemarsh about digging to accommodate double-depth burial.
• A concrete vault, required by Pennsylvania state law, in which the casket is placed and covered.

In bad weather, Whitemarsh provides a tent and chairs near the burial site free of charge. On request, Whitemarsh will also provide a large chapel nearby (free of charge) for religious services or memorial gatherings — the funeral home brings the casket to the chapel first, then to the burial site. The family may invite local clergy from Philadelphia or elsewhere to conduct any religious ceremony, including the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah). After the ceremonies, the burial worker will ask the family's permission to lower the casket and complete the burial. Any post-burial gathering — restaurant, home, or hall — is entirely up to the family.

7. The headstone

To prevent the headstone from sinking, it is typically recommended to install it around six months after the burial. Whitemarsh has standards for the size, material, and design of headstones. The cost is usually over $4,000; the companies listed on the Service Providers page may offer these services at a lower price while still meeting Whitemarsh's requirements.