by Amreen Bi

Created on: July 04, 2009   Last Updated: July 08, 2009

The Qur'an tells Muslims very clearly, Every soul shall taste death. Islam has very clear instructions on what the dying person has to do, the people who are with the dying/dead person and for those who are responsible for burying the deceased. Here is an overview of the funeral ceremony according to the teachings of the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The family, relative, friends, local community of the dying person will often be around the person to pay their last respects and bring comfort to him/her. Verses from the Qur'an are read and the dying person is often encouraged to read the 'Shahada'. The Shahada is the declaration of faith and in English means, I bear witness that there is no god but and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His messenger.

If the person dies loved ones do weep but are not to wail, scream, shout and hurt themselves. Patience is encouraged. Muslims believe that death is a natural part of life and everyone is going to die one day so we should prepare for it by doing as many good deeds as we can.

The deceased's eyes are closed and if needed the body will be covered with a clean sheet temporarily. An autopsy can be performed if required and the only real conciliation is that the deceased should be shown respect.

Those around the deceased are encouraged to pray for the deceased and make Du'a (supplication). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: You should hasten with his burial and so Muslims often try and get the person buried as soon as possible so that the body of the deceased is undisturbed.

The body will be washed in a process known as Ghusul. After a Muslim dies the family or other Muslims wash the body of the deceased according to Islam. More then one person can perform this rite.

The people who wash the body should be trustworthy, adult Muslims who have knowledge about the Islamic way of washing the deceased's body and know what to do. If the deceased is a male then the people washing him should be male and if the deceased is female then by females only. For a young child either men or women can perform the washing.

The body of the deceased should be washed in a place that is clean and private. Clean water and soap should be on hand. The private parts of the deceased are covered with a piece of cloth.

First the washer should raise the head of the body gently and put the body in a partially seated position. A clean cloth is twisted around the hand of the washer and using this he cleans away all

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