In Islam the entire funeral process is the duty and responsibility of every local Muslim community.

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In Islam the entire funeral process is the duty and responsibility of every local Muslim community.

It is an obligatory act for at least 1 member of the community to perform this duty (referred to as Fard-ekifaya), an obligation which if performed by even a single member of any community, it absolves the entire community of the responsibility, and if not then the entire community is sinful & accountable for this omission.

 

Muslims bury the deceased as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours. The process involves three essential steps:

1. Washing & Shrouding the body

2. The Funeral Prayer

3. The Burial Process

 

All the deceased Muslims are buried and there is no cremation. There is also usually no need for embalming.

 

An important note for the Nursing Home, Hospital or Doctor regarding the "Cause of Death Certificate”.

Kindly note that the Funeral for Muslims takes place as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours after death. Therefore, there is some urgency in ensuring that the "Cause of Death Certificate" be available as soon as possible.

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Your assistance in fulfilling this important rite will be highly appreciated. It is preferable not to have a postmortem performed unless absolutely essential for medico-legal purposes.

WHEN A MUSLIM IS AT THE POINT OF DEATH

 

Family members of the dying person and his/her closest friends should be informed and should be present at his side to help him turn his thoughts to Allah, encourage him very gently to repent, remind him about all the good deeds that he did, and about Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Those who are present near a dying Muslim should do the following:

• they should be kind and patient.

• they should never leave the person alone.

• they should give them hope and encouragement.

 

They should encourage the brother or sister very gently without insistence to recite the Shahada: "Ashadu anla ilaha il-lallahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadun abduhu wa Rasullullah", which means ‘I bear witness that there is no God but Allah (SWT), and that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is his servant & messenger’ in a very kind and sincere manner as these may be their last words.

As Muslims, even though we accept that death is an inevitable part of this temporary life, confronting our own mortality is not something we generally feel comfortable doing. Death can come suddenly or expectedly, to the young or old and it often brings with it great distress and anxiety. Although planning for death and dying can be challenging, having these conversations early on while you are healthy and able can help make decisions about your end of life easier for those left behind.

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• Regular check-ups with your family doctor / primary care physician (PCP): 
  Having a well-documented health record means that your medical history can be easily requested from the one location. 

• Power of Attorney: 
  This is a legal document that gives another person authority to make legal and financial arrangements for you if you are no longer able to make your own decisions.

• Advance Care Plan / Directive: 
  Advance Care Plan is when you plan future medical care by discussing your values, beliefs and preferences with family, carers and doctors. 

• Health Care Proxy / Medical Power of Attorney:
  Medical Power of Attorney is someone you appoint to make medical, health and lifestyle decisions on your behalf when you are not capable of doing this for yourself.

• Will: 
  A will is a legal document that sets out what you want to happen to your assets after you die. A will can help avoid extra expenses and simplify the inheritance process for your family.

• Funeral plans: 
  Discussing funeral arrangements with your family and involving them in your preferences ahead of time can reduce feelings of uncertainty and confusion… You may want to think about which funeral service or masjid will perform the Janazah and where you wish to be buried.

If you are a Muslim, especially a new revert, you should prepare a written Funeral and Burial Wishes document to ensure your end‑of‑life instructions are honored. This document should clearly state:

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• Your declaration of faith and your wish to be buried according to Islamic rites. 

• Your request not to undergo autopsy, cremation, or embalming unless legally required, and that your body be washed (ghusl), shrouded, prayed over, and buried by Muslims in accordance with Islamic practice

• Your preference that certified Muslim personnel perform the ghusl, with up to three family members assisting if desired. 

• Your request that a family member remain with your body until it is transferred to a Muslim washing facility if you pass away in a hospital. 

• Your direction that no non‑Islamic religious services, symbols, music, or decorations be used at any stage. 

• Your instruction that only Muslim men lower your body into the grave, and that you be buried without a casket unless required by law.

 

Please seek legal advice to prepare such document, it should be signed, witnessed, and shared with a close family member or your local Imam. The organization also recommends preparing a full Islamic will to address all other matters related to your death.