How deep should a grave be?

Question

In some countries a grave is dug in such a way that its depth is one and a half or two gaz (a unit of length, about a yard, ≈ 0.9 m), and its ledge (step) is made two or three inches below the upper level of the ground, so that, laying [it] on this, the grave can be filled level with earth. The answer now sought is: does the form described above fall under shaqq (trench grave) or not? If not, is such a grave permissible in the Sacred Law or not? Has the Shari‘a indicated any form other than lahd (niche grave)

Answer

Making a grave in this way is contrary to the sunna. Either a lahd should be made for the deceased — that is, after digging the grave, another hollow suited to the body of the deceased is made in it on the qibla side, so that the deceased is placed in it and unbaked bricks are set over it; or, if the ground is soft, a shaqq should be made, thus: after digging the grave,…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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