Muslim Funerals
The Islamic faith has quite strict guidelines regarding funeral services and how long after death a Muslim is buried.
The Islamic faith has quite strict guidelines when it comes to funeral services. The guidelines state that arrangements for an Islamic funeral must begin immediately after death and they must be buried as soon as possible.
Cremation and post mortems are forbidden in Islam however organ donation is permitted.
A Muslim funeral will generally last 30-60 minutes, and will be led by the Imam. There will be readings from the Quran and funeral prayers, with everyone facing towards Mecca. The Islamic funeral will follow a traditional order, with the mourners congregating in a prayer or study room of the mosque to recite funeral prayers.
Following the completion of the funeral prayers, the congregation will line up in rows and pass the coffin from shoulder to shoulder towards the gravesite. Traditionally, only men would attend the burial and the grave should be perpendicular to Mecca, with the deceased person placed on their right side facing Mecca.
Wood and stones would be placed on top of the deceased person so that the soil doesn't come into direct contact with them and each mourner would usually throw a handful of soil into the grave while the Imam recites prayers.
It is common for the family of the deceased to gather in their home following the funeral and receive guests. The community would provide food to the family for 3 days following the funeral. The period of mourning lasts for 40 days.
Muslims believe that good deeds in life will reward them with entry into Paradise on the Day of Judgement.
There are two rituals that take place before an Islamic funeral; Ghusl and Kafan.
Ghusl is where close family members of the deceased will wash them. They are usually the same sex as the person that has died. They would be washed three times.
Kafan involves the covering and wrapping of the deceased in simple large white sheets. Men are typically buried with three sheets and women are buried with five. Women are also dressed in a ankle-length sleeveless dress and a head veil, before being wrapped in the sheets and secured with rope.
No viewing of the deceased takes place.
Upon entering the prayer hall in the Mosque, mourners should remove their shoes and ensure their socks or tights are in a presentable condition.
