What is the ruling on performing the funeral prayer in the cemetery?

The questioner : What is the ruling on praying the funeral prayer in the cemetery, and what is understood from the words of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) when he was asked about praying in the cemetery? He said: "Prayer in the cemetery is not valid except for funerals?"

The Shaykh : Yes, if there is a designated, fenced area in the cemetery for praying over the dead, then it is permissible. However, if the bier containing the deceased is placed between the graves, then it is not valid to pray over this deceased person while he is between the graves. But if it is in a designated place known as the prayer area for funerals or the prayer area for the festival, and it is fenced as I mentioned earlier, then the funeral prayer is valid, and the festival prayer is valid; otherwise, it is not.
Abu Layla : Our teacher, regarding the hadith of the black woman, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed over her in the cemetery, does this not reconcile the ... ?

The Shaykh : No, my brother, he did not pray over her in the cemetery. He prayed over her while she was in her grave. And the question is not about this, is it? Yes.