Muslim burials
Brookwood Cemetery is home to Britain’s first dedicated Muslim cemetery, established in 1884 by Dr. Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, founder of the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking.
The original Muslim burial ground, Plot M1, is marked by the Kiblah Stone (between rows four and five), providing the correct orientation towards Mecca and including what are considered the earliest known English-language instructions for Muslim burial.
Such features give Brookwood Cemetery deep historical and religious significance for Muslims in Britain and make it a place where Islamic burial rites can be observed respectfully and correctly.
Many notable Muslims are buried here including Dr. Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner (Plot 2, South Cemetery), HRH Princess Musbah Haidar (M2, North Cemetery) and Muhammad Marmaduke William Pickthall (M1, North Cemetery).
Organising a Muslim burial
We permit shroud burial and can accommodate next day funerals, including Saturdays, when booked before 2pm the previous day.
Plots suitable for Muslim burials
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- Plot 112, North Cemetery
- Plot 130, Woking Ground, North Cemetery
To find your preferred location please see our plot map.
Cost
Plots vary in price. Please see our price guide.
Memorials
A wide range of stone memorial designs are permitted on these plots, including traditional full memorials once a grave has had time to settle Please see our memorial dimensions.
Contact the cemetery office
Please contact the cemetery office to discuss your requirements and arrange a site visit.
British Muslim Heritage Trails
These trails have been researched and developed by the Everyday Muslim Heritage and Archive Initiative, with help from The Brookwood Cemetery Society, The Shah Jahan Mosque and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
#1 The Woking Trail
This self guided Muslim heritage trail is set in and around Woking in Surrey, which is home to three of the most important British Muslim heritage spaces: the country's first Muslim cemetery, Britain's first purpose-built mosque, and the first Muslim military cemetery.
#2 The Muslim Cemetery Walk
This self guided trail allows visitors to Brookwood Cemetery to locate the graves of important individuals linked to the Muslim heritage of Britain, while also exploring some of the cemetery's historic and natural features.
Cemeteries within the cemetery
Whilst our Muslim grounds are inclusive spaces, there are several Muslim communities who have acquired their own burial grounds within the cemetery: Ismaili, Ahmadiyya, Dawoodi Bohra, Turkish, Turkish Cypriot, Jammat, Nasserpuria Memon and others. This is another reason why Brookwood Cemetery has become such an important historical hub of Muslim burial in Britain.
For more information about these burial grounds, please contact their owners directly.