Muslim Funeral Customs
by Mortuary Transport Expert ~ April 21st, 2008. Filed under: Religious Customs, Removal Stories.
This is a little information on Muslim death customs. My personal experience has been varied. The most devout muslims require the bathing, shrouding and burial within 24 hours of death, even if it means delaying the declared time of death.
Since I offered death certificate processing services, cemetery delivery services as well as removal services, I had one removal where they had me on standby for a woman who was expected to die any hour. She finally died around 1 AM, I came to the facility she was in before 2 AM, and moved her to cold storage I had permission to use from one of my funeral homes. I was being contracted for transportation and death certificate services only, not as a funeral director, which I was not.
Yes, I know there can be some liability issues from the funeral home side, and that’s why it’s important make sure your liability insurance is up to date and that you have the training and experience to avoid some of the mistakes that can happen. That’s why I bought a Rescue Randy mannikin to train my employees with instead of using actual bodies, since if someone drop and damaged a body, you’re looking at a big potential lawsuit.
Later that morning, one of my drivers transported her body the the mosque of the family for bathing. Now, it’s good to note that many muslim families will request that a female be present if not be the transporting driver with a female decedent. With housecalls especially, just about every time, the family has requested a female present with transporting a female muslim.
During this time, I got the doctor’s signature on the death certificate and filed it with the county so the burial could happen that day.
They bathed and shrouded her body, put her in a casket they already had in their posession, and I came back late that afternoon and transported her to the cemetery. They put the casket in the van for me, and then it was taken for granted that they would remove the casket from the van. They then put the casket on their shoulders (about 15-20 males), and they carried her to her burial place.
I had other muslim removals where the bathing was done at the funeral home in the embalming room, with an embalmer present to supervise the facility’s usage.
Here’s some additional info.
Care for the Dying
When a Muslim is near death, those around him or her are called upon to give comfort, and reminders of God’s mercy and forgiveness. They may recite verses from the Qur’an, give physical comfort, and encourage the dying one to recite words of remembrance and prayer. It is recommended, if at all possible, for a Muslim’s last words to be the declaration of faith: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.”Upon death, those with the deceased are encouraged to remain calm, pray for the departed, and begin preparations for burial. The eyes of the deceased should be closed, and the body covered temporarily with a clean sheet. It is forbidden for those in mourning to excessively wail, scream, or thrash about. Grief is normal when one has lost a loved one, and it is natural and permitted to cry. When the Prophet Muhammad’s own son died, he said: “The eyes shed tears and the heart is grieved, but we will not say anything except which pleases our Lord.” One should strive to be patient, and remember that Allah is the One who gives life and takes it away, at a time appointed by Him. It is not for us to question His wisdom.
Muslims strive to bury the deceased as soon as possible after death, avoiding the need for embalming or otherwise disturbing the body of the deceased. An autopsy may be performed, if necessary, but should be done with the utmost respect for the dead.
Washing and Shrouding
In preparation for burial, the family or other members of the community will wash and shroud the body. (If the deceased was killed as a martyr, this step is not performed; martyrs are buried in the clothes they died in.) The deceased will be washed respectfully, with clean and scented water, in a manner similar to how Muslims make ablutions for prayer. The body will then be wrapped in sheets of clean, white cloth (called the kafan).Funeral Prayers
The deceased is then transported to the site of the funeral prayers (salat-l-janazah). These prayers are commonly held outdoors, in a courtyard or public square, not inside the mosque. The community gathers, and the imam (prayer leader) stands in front of the deceased, facing away from the worshippers. The funeral prayer is similar in structure to the five daily prayers, with a few variations. (For example, there is no bowing or prostration, and the entire prayer is said silently but for a few words.)Burial
The deceased is then taken to the cemetery for burial (al-dafin). While all members of the community attend the funeral prayers, only the men of the community accompany the body to the gravesite. It is preferred for a Muslim to be buried where he or she died, and not be transported to another location or country (which may cause delays or require embalming the body). If available, a cemetery (or section of one) set aside for Muslims is preferred. The deceased is laid in the grave (without a coffin if permitted by local law) on his or her right side, facing Mecca. At the gravesite, it is discouraged for people to erect tombstones, elaborate markers, or put flowers or other momentos. Rather, one should humbly remember Allah and His mercy, and pray for the deceased.
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