Funeral Guide & Planner

Death & Funeral

Our hope is that you will find this booklet helpful in dealing with the affairs of the deceased and provide you with a religious guide as to what issues are typical in this situation, how to work through them, and some other information which you may find useful.

While we hope this booklet tends to all of your religious questions and concerns, the reality is that all situations are rarely the same. Based on this, please use this guide as an outline for your course of action. It is still advisable to consult the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake or your local Islamic society for other religious matters to help tend to your personal situation.

What to do when a person is near death

Dying person

A person on whom the signs of death are clearly seen is called a Muhtadhar. It is Sunnah to facilitate him/her to lie on their right side, facing the Qiblah. It is permitted that he be positioned to lie on his back with his feet towards the Qiblah, and the head slightly raised with the support of a cushion so that the body faces the direction of the Qiblah. If moving the Muhtadhar causes he/she any discomfort, then leave him/her in any convenient position. It is also recommended to recite verses from the Holy Quran in the presence of the Muhtadhar.

Reminder

Talqeen is to remind the dying person of the Shahaadatain

When the end nears, the dying person's breath quickens, the knees become so weak that they cannot even stand, the nose becomes bent and the temples subside. These are some of the signs that the person's end is nearing.

The Talqeen should be read loudly before the dying person taking his/her last breaths. The Muhtadhar must not be asked or ordered to read the Kalimah Shahadah, but rather reminded. This can easily be done by reciting the Kalimah aloud while being present in the room.

Once the departing person utters the Kalimah, all who are present should remain silent. The dying person should not be drawn into any worldly discussions, but if he discusses any worldly affair, then the Talqeen should be repeated once again. Those present must refrain from talking to each other.

All the individuals of the deceased's family should then read the following dua:

And those who are grieved by the demise may read:

What to do after a person has passed away

1. Remain calm and exercise patience.
2. Inform next of kin, close family, and friends.
3. Call our “Funeral Services” line at the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake at (801) 577-7901 for arrangements in regards to body transportation, ghusl (ritual Islamic bathing), kafu (shrouding), funeral prayer and burial.
4. Find out if a grave has been reserved and who will pay for the funeral cost.
5. When A Person Dies
   • If a person dies at home unexpectedly call 911, have a do not resuscitate document available if it was the plan. However, if death is not unexpected then you may call one’s family doctor.
   • If death happens in a hospice or hospital, ask the nurses or care-givers to remove all tubes, catheters, needles etc. from the body.

Additionally, you’ll need to secure the vital information statistics below required for a death certificate & burial permit:

• Name, home address and telephone number
• Social security number (SSN)
• Marital status
• Spouse last name before marriage
• Occupation, type of work, type of business or industry
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Father’s name (last name, first name)
• Father’s birthplace
• Mother’s maiden name (first name)
• Mother’s birthplace
• Next of kin, name, address, and telephone number

Ritual bathing of the deceased

Ghusl of the Deceased means washing the body of the dead person. Although the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake has appointed personnel to bathe the deceased, it is recommended, Islamically, that an adult male should be bathed by his father, son or brothers. Similarly, an adult female should be bathed by her mother, daughter or sister.

If none of these persons are available then any close relative should carry out, (male for male, and female for female). The person performing the Ghusl must themselves be in ritual purity and in a state of Wudu (ablution). it is makrooh-(disliked) for a woman who is in her menstrual cycle or in a state of post-birth bleeding to perform Ghusl. Once Ghusl is complete, the kafn (shrouding) of the deceased will be carried out.

Shrouding

For Male:

First, spread the Lifafah (long sheet), then Izaar (sheet for the lower part of the body), then the Qamees (sheet to cover chest) that will be under the body. The portion that will cover the top of the body should be folded and put at the side of the head.

Lower the body gently onto the Kafn and cover the top of the body up to the calves with the folded portion of the Qamees. Remove any material used for covering the Awrah/Satr (private area) during Ghusl.

Rub perfume on the head and beard. Then rub camphor mixture paste on the places of SAJDAH (i.e., those parts of the body that touch the ground in salah: forehead, nose, both the palms and the fore feet).

First, fold the left flap, and on it the right flap of the Izaar over the Qamees. Thereafter, fold the Lifafah in the same manner. Remember that the right flap must always be on the top. Lastly, fasten the ends of the Lifafah at the head, feet and around the middle with strips of cloth.

For Female:

First, spread the Lifafah (long sheet to cover the entire body), then the Sinaband (sheet to cover the chest), the Izaar (sheet to cover legs), and then the Qamees (sheet to cover the middle portion of the body) in the same manner stated for males. The Sinaband may also be placed between the Izaar and Qamees or over the Lifafah.

Lower the body gently onto the Kafn and cover the top of the body up to the calves with the folded portion of the Qamees. Remove any material used for covering the Satr during Ghusl.

Do not use perfumes, surmah, kohl or any other makeup. Rub camphor mixture onto the places of Sajdah, i.e., the forehead, nose, both palms, knees and the fore feet.

The hair should be divided into two parts and put onto the right and left breasts. Cover the head and hair with the long scarf. Do not fasten or fold it. Fold the Izaar, the left flap first, and then the right over the Qamees and Scarf.

Now close the Sinaband (breast cover) over these in the same manner.

Close the Lifafah, the left flap first, and then the right.

Lastly, fasten the end of the Lifafah at the head, feet, and around the middle with strips of cloth, to keep the complete Kafn in place.

Prohibited articles in the Kafn

It is prohibited to enclose any charter or any Duaa in the Kafn. It is also forbidden to write the Kalimah or any other Duaa on the Kafn or on the chest of the deceased with camphor, ink etc. Do not put any pictures or personal items in the kafn.

Funeral Prayers

The completion of the Ghusl and Kafn, the Mayyit (deceased person) is ready for the funeral prayer.

The Funeral Salah is Fard Kifaayah (communal obligation)— this means that if a few people in the community perform the act, the entire community is absolved of it.

The funeral prayer consists of four Takbeeraat (saying Allahu Akbar), Thana (glorification of Allah), Durood (salutations upon the Prophet), a Masnoon Dua (prophetic supplication) for the deceased, and two Salam (supplication of peace concluding the prayer). All these are said silently by both the Imam (one leading the service) and the Muqtadis (congregation of worshippers). It is only the Imam who should call out Takbeeraat and Salaam aloud.

There are two Fard (mandatory) acts in the funeral prayer:

1. To stand and perform the Prayers.
2. To recite all four Takbeeraat.

The Masnoon manner (Prophetic way) of performing the Funeral Prayer:

1. The body of the Mayyit should be placed with the head on the right side of the Imam, who will face the Qiblah.
2. The Iman should stand in line with the chest of the deceased while performing the prayers. If there are multiple funerals, then the deceased males should be closer to the Imam following females and children.
3. After the saffs (rows) are straightened, the Niyyah (intention) should be made. The niyyah should be made thus: “I am performing this funeral prayer for Allah behind this Imam (the prayers being a dua for the deceased).
4. After the niyyah, the hands should be raised up to the ears. The Imam should say Allahu Akbar loudly and the worshippers in the congregation, softly. Then, fold the hands similar to all daily prayers.
5. Recite Thana softly or Surah Al-Fatiha:

7. Thereafter the Takbeer should be said for the third time and the following Dua be recited for an adult male or female:

For a child who has not reached the age of puberty the following Dua should be recited after the third Takbeer.

Masnoon Duas that may be read in the funeral prayer:

If someone is unable to recite the above duas, he or she may simply recite:

8. The Imam should say the fourth Takbeer and thereafter recite the Salaam aloud twice while turning his face first towards the right shoulder and then again towards the left. The Muqtadis (followers/worshippers) should follow by saying the Takbeer and Salaam softly.

Late comers to the funeral prayer

When a latecomer fears that if he engages himself in Wudu (ablution), he will miss the Funeral Prayers, only then is it permissible for him to make Tayammum (dry ablution) and join the Jama'at (congregation). This rule applies to the Funeral Prayers only.

Whosoever arrives for the Funeral Prayers after the Imam has recited one or more Takbeeraat should wait and join the Imam when he says the next Takbeer. After the Salaam he should complete the missed Takbeeraat by merely saying Allahu Akbar once for every Takbeer missed before his/her Salam. No Dua (supplication) should be read. If the Imam has completed the fourth Takbeer then too, the latecomer should join and complete all the missed Takbeeraat.

Once the funeral prayer is complete, the funeral prayer cannot be repeated or offered again for any reason whatsoever.

Important

It is only permissible for Mahram to see the face of a female deceased. The following relatives are considered to be Mahram: wife, mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, grandparents (paternal and maternal), and grandchildren.

It is permissible to recite the Holy Quran after the ghusl has been performed in the presence of the body of the deceased.

The Islamic method of burial

Funeral should be arranged without delay. The Prophet (SA) has said: “If a person passes away, hasten him to his grave and do not keep him away.” The funeral prayer should be arranged quickly, and the deceased should be buried in the nearest graveyard (cemetery).

To transport the body over long distances is undesirable. It is also makrooh (disliked) to delay the prayer and wait for latecomers to increase the Jama’at (congregation).

It is recommended for male relatives and the Muslim community to attend the burial service. It is advisable for women to visit the cemetery after the funeral.

After the funeral prayers are performed, the burial should take place as soon as possible. The deceased should be carried and placed at the Qiblah side of the grave. The head should be on the right side of the grave if one faces the Qiblah.

It is Mustahab (recommended) for those present to recite this Dua while the body is being lowered:

Before lowering the body into the grave, it is Sunnah to turn it onto its right side to face the Qiblah and ensure the strips of cloth tied at the head, side, chest, and leg side are untied.

How the grave should be filled and shaped

It is recommended (mustahab) to begin closing the recess or trench from the leg side for males and from the head side for females. All the remaining openings should be closed with mud or grass. The use of any fabric or blankets is unnecessary and wasteful. All those present should participate to fill the grave with at least three handfuls of soil.

When throwing the first handful of soil in the grave, recite:

During the second handful:

and at the time of the third handful:

• All types of cemetery monuments, tombstones, inscriptions of the Holy Quran and enclosures on or around the grave are not recommended Structures on the grave have been emphatically denounced by the Prophet (SA)
• It is Mustahab (recommended) to sprinkle water on the grave from the head to the leg side thrice after burial.
• To recite the Holy Quran and make Dua for the deceased at his grave side after the grave is filled and shaped is also Mustahab (recommended).
• It has been related by Hazrat Uthman (RA) that after the Prophet (SA) buried the dead, he paused and said, “Beseech forgiveness from Allah for your brother and make Dua for his steadfastness because he is going to be questioned now by the Munkar and Nakeer (angels).”

After the burial, the first Ruku of Surah Al-Baqarah should be read towards the head side of the grave.

And the last Ruku of Surah Baqarah should be read towards the foot side of the grave.

Some other duas may also be recited.

The embalming process

Embalming, in most modern cultures, is the art and science of temporarily preserving human remains to forestall decomposition and to make them suitable for display at a funeral. The three goals of embalming are sanitization, presentation, and preservation (or restoration) of a dead body to achieve this effect.

Consoling the deceased’s family

It is from the teachings of the Prophet that one should console and comfort a person who is in distress: “He who consoles the one in distress shall be rewarded as much as the bereaved.”

One should take note of these points:

• One should be humble
• Express his grief
• Speak less about worldly affairs
• Avoid joking or laughing
• Mention the good acts and deeds of the deceased and abstain from the ill ones.

The Prophet said, “Mention the good actions of your deceased and abstain from the offensive ones.”

The time for consoling extends for three days after the death. It is disliked to console after this period except in cases where one is not present at the funeral or when the bereaved is absent. Consoling family before the burial is permissible.

Visiting the graveyard

Rasulullah (SA) has mentioned, “Visit the graves, for surely visiting the grave lessens worldly love and reminds you of the hereafter.”

The graveyard can be visited on any day. Friday is preferred for this visit and if possible, visits should be weekly. It has been related in a Hadith that, “Whoever will visit his parents’ grave every Friday will be granted forgiveness and he will be recorded as an obedient child of the parents.”

What to read when entering the graveyard

Rasulullah (SA) has taught the Sahabah (companions) these words as a salutation to the people of the graves and a prayer for their forgiveness:

What to recite when in the graveyard

There are many supplications that may be read at the grave site, the best being the recital of the Holy Quran. Recite from the Quran as much as possible. Make Dua for the Maghfirah (forgiveness) of the deceased. As learnt from the Ahadith, the following are a few ways of offering prayer for the deceased.

Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas 11 times:

It is related in a hadith that whoever visits the graveyard and recites Surah Al-Ikhlas 11 times and then prayed for the dead will be rewarded as many times as the number of dead in the graveyard.

Along with Surah Al-Ikhlas, it has been reported in a Hadith that whoever visits the graveyard and recites the following Surahs and then prays for the dead, the people of the grave will also ask Allah for such a person’s forgiveness on the Day of Judgment.

Finally, recite Surah Yaseen. In a Hadith it is reported that if a person recites Surah Yaseen in the graveyard, the punishment of the dead will be eased, and the reciter will be rewarded as many folds as the number of dead in the graveyard.

The companions of the Prophet visited the graveyard in this manner. The words in the Hadith indicate only salutations and duas for the dead and remembering death. All other ways such as placing wreaths, flowers, or paying homage are incorrect according to the sunnah.

Period of Iddah (waiting period after husband’s passing)

The period of waiting for the wife after the death of her husband is called Iddah. This period is four months and ten days.

During this period, the deceased’s wife should remain in the dwelling that they occupied at the time of the husband’s death. She is permitted to leave the house only for necessity.

If the widow is expecting a child at the time of her husband’s death, her Iddah will end after the birth of her child. The four month and ten days should NOT be considered in this case.

If a woman is not at home during the time of her husband’s death, she should return as soon as possible and pass the period of Iddah at home. The days of Iddah will be calculated from the time of her husband’s death.

A woman in Iddah should abstain from using fancy clothing, makeup, or jewelry.

Post Burial Guidelines

• Gathering necessary information
• Dealing with immediate needs
• Important phone numbers
• Settling the estate

A few noteworthy regulations

The trustee of the deceased should pay all debts as soon as possible.

Actions to send reward to the deceased should be conducted by feeding the poor, giving Sadaqah, asking forgiveness, etc. No specific dates or days such as the third, seventh, eleventh or fortieth are mentioned in the Shari'ah for such devotions. When giving charity on behalf of the deceased, it is desirable to make intention for the fulfillment of missed prayers of the deceased.

The Shariah has NOT specified any particular type or color of clothing that should be worn by those that are bereaved.

A deceased is one who was born alive and then passed away. He/she must be named. Complete funeral procedures such as bathing (ghusl), shrouding (kafn), prayers, and proper burial must be performed.

A stillborn (birth without any sign of life) child may be named, given bath (ghusl), wrapped in a piece of cloth (no proper shrouding is required), and then buried.

There are no funeral prayers for stillborn babies. If the limbs are not formed, no name will be given and there will be no bathing (ghusl). The malformed child should just be wrapped in a piece of cloth and buried.

If any one of the parents of a dead child is Muslim, then the child will be regarded as a Muslim and complete funeral procedures should be performed for that child.

Funeral procedures including prayers should be performed for a person who has committed suicide.

Forms and Resources

• United States pension plan
• Employment assistance
• Employment insurance benefits
• Workplace safety and insurance board
• Dependents Benefits
• Helpful information
• Cemetery arrangements
• Funeral arrangements and special wishes
• Insurance
• Wills and power of attorney
• Real estate investments
• Credit cards
• Investment information
• Deposit accounts
• Safety deposit boxes
• Location of important papers
• Organization affiliations
• Important medical records
• Children and relatives
• Personal information