Question:

How should the deceased person be laid out in his grave, will they be facing the Qibla?

Answer:

The preferred method is to lay the deceased person on his right side. The right hand of the deceased person must be taken out so that it should not be bearing the weight of the dead body. Earth should be placed at the back of the body to provide it with a support and help to lean on its right side. Bricks or stones should not be used to support the body as they can be uncomfortable to the deceased person. When the body has been turned on its right side, the face, nose, knees or any other part of the body should not be touching the wall of the grave.

Another method of placing the dead body so that it is facing the Qibla, is to lay the body in the grave and then turn the face towards the Qibla. If for any reason the face has become stiff and it cannot turn, then it should not be forced. This method is generally used today.

The dead body must not be placed in the grave so that only his feet are in the direction of the Qibla. This is a very inappropriate position of placing the body in the grave.

And Allah ﷻ knows the best

Imam Ahmad Rida Khan رحمة الله تعالى عليه

Translation by Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari Translator of Majestic Quran, www.majesticquran.co.uk