A collection of chronologically issued answers to some of the questions submitted by individual believers and institutions

10/23/2018

Burial laws and death at sea - 7 October 1974

The laws of burial as revealed by Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas do not refer to occurrence of death at sea. Until such time as the Universal House of Justice legislates on these matters, the friends when faced with such incidents should be guided by whatever civil or maritime law is applicable under the circumstances. Should land be reached, however, obviously the body must be buried on land in the nearest suitable place." 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, quoted in a letter dated 7 October 1974 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)