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Islamic Funeral Etiquette, Traditions, Rites and More
The Islamic religion views death as a transition to another state of existence called the afterlife. Where you go in the afterlife depends on how well you followed Islamic religious codes during your life. Muslims, practitioners of the Islamic faith, believe that if you lived a good life, you will go to Paradise after you die. If not, you will be separated from all that is good in the world.
Therefore, Islamic funerals serve not only to comfort the grieving, but also to pray to Allah, the Islamic word for God, to have mercy on the deceased.
What is Islamic Funeral Rites and Traditions?
One very important funeral rite in the Islamic faith is that burial take place as quickly as possible after death. For this reason, there is no viewing, wake, or visitation. Immediately after death, the body is washed and covered with a sheet by family members. The hands are placed as if in prayer. Then the body is transported to the location of the funeral, a mosque. There is rarely an open casket at an Islamic funeral.
The funeral is typically held outside the mosque, in a location such as a prayer room, community square, or courtyard, where members of the community may gather. The body and all attendees are all turned to face Mecca, which is the holy center of Islam. Funeral prayers are led by the Imam, the holy leader. Attendees form at least three lines: men, then children, and women in the back. After prayers, the body is taken to the burial site in a silent procession. Some Muslim communities allow women and children to attend the burial, but traditionally it's just men. Another important Islamic burial rite is to have each person at the burial throw three handfuls of dirt into the grave.
Since Muslims believe there will be a physical resurrection of the body on Judgement Day, the faith prohibits cremation. Similarly, autopsies are strongly discouraged, since they delay burial and are considered a desecration of the body. Also, Muslims prefer not to move the body away from the site of death, making an autopsy even more unsettling for them. Embalming, considered yet another desecration of the body, is performed only if required by law.
Finally, tradition dictates that flowers are to be sent to the family's home after the burial of the deceased. There is a 40-day mourning period, during which time not only flowers but also food is appreciated.
What is Islamic Funeral Etiquette?
Mourners at an Islamic funeral may express grief, but only within certain standards of decorum. Loud wailing, for example, is not permitted. Neither are other outward signs of extreme emotion, such as ripping of clothes, thrashing about, sacrilegious speech, and self-injury. Crying is permitted.
Traditional Muslim funeral etiquette forbids mourners from taking pictures or in any other way recording any part of the funeral prayer service.
After the prayer service and the burial, mourners may gather at the home of the immediate family. This is when it is appropriate to express your condolences to the family and support them in their grief. Plan to stay the entire day. Traditionally, a meal is served. Socializing is believed to help the family cope with their loss.
During the first three days of the 40-day period of mourning, community members should bring food to the family. Many modern Muslim communities observe a shortened mourning period.
Widows will customarily observe an even longer time of mourning. Whatever the time frame, it's important that the community visits and offers to help in any way they can.
What is an Islamic Funeral?
An Islamic funeral is considered a community event. Muslims believe a funeral to be a very spiritual occasion. Everyone in attendance participates in group prayers, in which mourners pray that Allah will have mercy on not only the deceased but also on all deceased Muslims.
Islamic funerals are to help mourners cope with their grief, but are also meant to offer hope for a good afterlife for the deceased. The service lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
What to do before imminent death?
Family members of the dying person and their most pious friends should be present at their side to help turn the final thoughts to Allah, reminding him or her of all the good deeds they did, about Allah’s mercy, and Allah’s favors. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Let no Muslim die except expecting and hoping the best from Allah” (Muslim).
Family members and friends can advise the dying person very gently (encouragement without insistence) to say the shahada: “La Illaha illallah”, which means there is no God but Allah, in a very kind and sincere manner as these may be their last words. Abu Saeed Al-Khuduri reported that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Help Muslims who are dying to say “La Illaha illallah” (Muslim).
Family members should make Dua (supplication) to Allah to help make the final moments easy, and to forgive them.
What to do after death?
Immediately after the death has occurred and it has been verified, close the eyes of the deceased eyes; the mouth and jaws are held gently with broad bands or pieces of cloth so that they do not remain wide open; the legs should be held in the same way. The body should be covered, and must always remain covered, preferably with a white sheet of cloth.
Invoke Allah and say: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” (To Allah we belong and to Him is our return).
Crying with no wailing is permitted. The prophet (pbuh) wept on the death of his son, Ibrahim and said: “The eyes shed tears and the heart feels pain, but we utter only what pleases our Lord. O Ibrahim! We are aggrieved at your demise.”
Contact Islamic Foundation or Islamic International Funeral Services’s funeral Director for funeral arrangements without delay; Relatives and friends should be notified. The body must not be kept waiting unnecessarily. Immediate family and friends are to prepare food for the bereaved family for three days
What information you’ll need?
When you contact the funeral representative to seek advice, arrange for paper work and cemetery plot, please have the following information available:
Determine if the dying person has any preferences for people who will carry out the Ghusl (washing) and Kafan (burial cloth). If there is none, then the next of male kin to males, and next of female kin to females should be available to perform the Ghusl.
Also when you talk to the funeral director, please prepare the following information for the dying person to facilitate the process and help in finalizing the paperwork:
⦁ Current location of Deceased
⦁ Social Security Number
⦁ Address
⦁ Date of Birth
⦁ Date and Time of Death
⦁ Phone Number
⦁ eMail
If the death occurred over the weekend, most cemetery and related offices are open only during weekdays and for a few hours on Saturday. Furthermore, the cemetery does not typically open graves and allow burials on Sundays. As such, in the event of death on Saturday, the burial may have to wait until Monday afternoon.
It typically takes about 3 to 6 hours to make all the arrangements at a minimum (Open/Close the grave, arrange the transportation, set prayer area). As such, a person can be buried on the same day if the death occurred prior to 8 AM. If the death occurred after that time, the arrangements will be typically made for burial the next day.
Typically the Janaza prayer is performed right after the Dhuhr prayer (12:30 PM in winter months or 1:30 PM during daylight savings time) On Friday’s Janaza prayer is always after 2nd Juma prayer at Islamic Foundation. The Ghusl is typically performed before the Janaza prayers (around 10 AM or 11 Noon).
What is the Islamic burial time limit?
Burial should take place as soon as possible. It's typical to bury someone of the Islamic faith within three days, although most strive for within 24 hours
Do Muslim women attend Islamic funerals?
Traditionally, they do not. However, modern communities do allow women at the funeral prayer service.
Are non-Muslims allowed at Islamic funerals?
Yes, it is common for non-Muslims to attend Islamic funerals.
What is the dress code for an Islamic funeral?
For both men and women, dress should be modest. Men should wear a shirt and trousers. Women must wear a headscarf, plus an ankle-length skirt and a shirt with long sleeves and a high neck. Everyone should wear clean socks, as the shoes are removed before prayer.
Why are Islamic funerals attended by the whole community?
Muslims believe that the death of a fellow Muslim is a loss for the entire community. They also believe a funeral to be a very spiritual event.
What is the Procedure For Muslim Burial?
The following is a typical procedure for a burial without a casket. Where a casket is used either because of local laws or other reasons, the concrete box (or the grave-liner) mentioned below is omitted and soil is poured directly on top of the casket:
The shrouded body is picked from the casket and is then gently lowered in the grave by two or more people. It is preferable that close relatives or friends perform this last service for the deceased.
The body is received by two or more persons standing strategically inside the grave and is placed on the ground by them. The face of the deceased is then turned gently towards the Qiblah. This can often be facilitated by turning the whole body slightly on its side and strategically placing lumps of clay or earth at its back.
A rectangular, concrete, lid-less box (i.e., a grave-liner) provided by the cemetery is then placed inverted over the body so as to enclose it completely. This prevents the soil from being thrown directly on top of the body.
Everyone present may then deposit three handfuls of soil in the grave in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) as well as in recognition of their own mortality and of the fact that they too will eventually need similar services from the community.
Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported:" Allah's Messenger (pbuh) once prayed over a Janazah, and then (after burial) he went toward the dead person and threw three handfuls (of soil) on the side of his head." (See Note #2 below). (Ibn Majah)
It may be mentioned that there is no authentic Hadith of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) requiring the recital of a specific Quranic verse with each handful of soil.Soil is now poured into the grave to fill it completely. No flowers, wreaths, or similar offerings are placed on the grave.
It is acceptable for the top of the grave to be raised slightly above the ground. A headstone or a suitable simple marker may also be placed on the grave for purposes of identification.
Notes:
The body of a female should be handled only by those who are her Mahram so that her privacy is respected at all times. If no Mahram is present at the funeral, this service can be performed by close relatives or others with due regard to the deceased person's privacy and the sensitivity of the occasion.
The person mentioned in this Hadith was buried in a Lahd type grave so that the handfuls of soil could be thrown towards the head of the body. A Shaqq type grave is in common use in the West so that the handfuls of soil can be thrown directly on the casket or the concrete grave-liner.
Can A Muslim Burial occur at Sea?
In most cases, a burial at sea is not permitted except under extraordinary circumstances.
For instance, if the person dies while at sea and the body cannot be transported back to land due to a long distance.
Muslims typically should be buried in the ground.
Can Muslims Be Cremated?
Cremation is forbidden in the Islamic religion. It is considered disrespectful to the dead. A Muslim should not burn anyone, witness a cremation, or approve of it in any way.
The only exception is if the person died due to a contagious disease.
Even then, the potential for the disease to spread must be proven and permission received from the authorities.
Is Organ Donation permitted Islam?
Organ donation is generally acceptable for Muslims, as it follows the Qur’an’s teaching that "Whosoever saves the life of one person it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind." If there is any question as to whether or not organs may be donated, it is best to consult with an imam (religious leader) or Muslim funeral director
Is Autopsies permitted Islam?
Routine autopsies are not acceptable in Islam as they are seen as a desecration of the body. In most cases, the family of the deceased may refuse to have a routine autopsy performed.
Embalming
Embalming and cosmetology are not allowed unless required by state or federal law. Because of the prohibition on embalming and the urgency with which the body must be buried, it is not possible to transport the body from one country to another. Many Muslims living in America have a desire to be buried in the country of their ancestry, and this cultural practice, while acceptable in some communities, is in conflict with shariah. An imam or Muslim funeral director should be consulted if there are any questions on the matter.
For more information on this topic see our article: Embalming
WHAT HAPPENS AT A MUSLIM FUNERAL SERVICE?
What happens at a Muslim funeral service is usually ruled by traditions of the Islamic faith. Family and friends of the deceased will gather in the prayer room, study room or courtyard of the mosque to perform Salat al-Janazah (funeral prayers). Every male must participate in the Salat-al-Janazah, but women may only participate if they are willing to do so. The final prayer is offered from the family and community to ask for forgiveness of the deceased.
The funeral service is led by an Imam (Islamic leader) and includes readings from the Quran. If you are of a different faith, you are encouraged to quietly listen to the readings and prayers.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A MUSLIM BURIAL?
Following on from a Muslim funeral service, the deceased is taken to the cemetery for burial. Traditionally, only men are allowed to attend the burial, though some Muslim communities may allow women to attend.
The grave should be at right angles to the direction of Mecca, with the deceased placed on their right side facing the Islamic holy city. Wood and stones should be placed on top of the body to prevent direct contact between the person and the soil. All mourners will pour handfuls of earth on top of the grave, before it is filled in.
Due to religious beliefs, cremation is prohibited for Muslims.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A MUSLIM FUNERAL SERVICE?
Like the ceremony itself, what happens after a Muslim funeral service is dictated by the Islamic faith, and the family's wishes. After a Muslim funeral service and burial, family will typically gather in their home and receive guests. During the first three days of mourning, the community usually provides food for the family. Mourning typically lasts for 40 days but can vary depending on the family.
A Muslim widow is allowed 4 months and 10 days of mourning, during which she is not permitted to re-marry or interact with other men. This tradition is to rule out whether she is pregnant, as well as give her time to come to terms with the loss.