For Muslims, although a death is a sad occasion, it is not seen as the end for that person. Our earthly existence (duniya) is regarded as being only temporary, and will be followed by the afterlife (akhira). Death must be accepted as the will of Allah, and should be borne with as much patience as possible. When the news of death in the family reaches the relatives and friends, the first thing that they are reminded to say is the following Qur'nic verse (2:156): "Inna lil-lhi wa inn ilayhi rji'n [Truly! To Allh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return]." This du' is known in Arabic as al-Istirj.
Every action in the life of a Muslim can be done as an act of worship, if performed for the sake of Allah. The Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him), showed through his words and actions how to put the teachings of the Quran into practice. Therefore by carrying out funerals according to the Sunnah (or the way of the Prophet, PBUH), a Muslim is showing his love of Allah and his respect of the deceased. Although there are regional differences in funerals, especially in countries which have adopted practices from other faiths or cultures, there are some key elements which are essential for all Muslims.
Before death
Muslims are encouraged to visit those who are sick or dying, and to offer them words of support and prayers. The dying should be encouraged to say the Shahada, or declaration of faith (there is no god but Allah and Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah), and to repent for their sins. They should also be urged to bear their suffering with patience, as they will be rewarded for this in the afterlife. Muslims are also encouraged to be present when non-Muslims are dying in order to present Islam to them, in the hope that they will accept Islam prior to their deaths.
Islamic inheritance laws make automatic provision for the family left behind. However, up to one third of the wealth can be allocated to other people (such as friends or neighbours, by way of a gift. The Prophet (PBUH) recommended that if people wanted to give these gifts, they should keep written wills to ensure that this would be allocated after death.
After death
Several actions are obligatory after death. Firstly the eyes should be closed and prayers said for the deceased. The body should be covered with a large sheet for the purpose of maintaining dignity. The funeral should happen as quickly as possible (as the body usually stays in the house until prayers and burial), and the individual should be buried in the area they die, rather than being transported back to their home town. Importantly, the persons debts should be paid, usually out of their remaining wealth, or otherwise by a family member.
Relatives of the deceased are obliged to be patient, practice self restraint, and gracefully accept Allh's decree, because Allh has already promised mankind that He would test them.
"Verily I will test you with fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, life, and the fruit (of your labour), so give glad tidings to the patient ones." [The Noble Quran 2:155]
During the mourning period, women should not beautify themselves by using perfume or makeup. Mourning lasts for three days, or for four months ten days if a woman is mourning her husband. This period is needed as any pregnancy will become apparent within this time, so that if a woman wished to remarry, it would be known who the father of her child was.
Several practices are considered haram, or not allowed. This includes loud wailing, which suggests displeasure at something which Allah has decreed, and is said to harm the dead who will be punished for it. Hitting or beating the body and tearing clothes are also haram, although seen in many Muslim countries as a cultural practice.
Preparing the Body
Cleanliness and purification are vital parts of Islamic practice. Muslims perform ritual cleansing before each prayer and before actions such as entering a mosque or handling the Quran. After death, the body is washed according to Islamic law, and is obligatory. This involves both Ghusal (washing of the whole body including the private parts), and Wudu (washing the hands, face, head, arms and feet). The water used should be pure, free of any contaminants and at the temperature which would normally be used for washing by someone living.
A man should be washed by men, and a woman by women. The only exception is that a spouse can wash their partner. Children can be washed by men or women. This is considered a special process and should ideally be undertaken by the most knowledgeable of the deceased's immediate family members.
The body is laid out, without garments, and a cloth placed over the private parts which should not be seen. The stomach is massaged to expel any waste, which is washed away. A rag or cloth is used to wash the body, beginning on the right side with the places washed during Wudu. The hair (if long) should also be washed, and then the rest of the body. This should be repeated at least three times, and the final wash should be with water which is perfumed with camphor or something similar. The body is then dried, and in the case of a woman the hair is put into three braids.
The shroud
It is obligatory to shroud the body in a Kafan, or white sheets, immediately after washing and drying. The material should be simple, such as cotton, and not overly ornate or expensive-looking, and is usually perfumed. The money usually comes from that left from the deceased, or if not the community or mosque will pay if the family are too poor. Many Muslims believe that three sheets should be used for a man and five for a woman; however, there is not a specific number which is preferred. The most important factor is to fully cover the deceased, leaving enough cloth to tie off at the ends. Often, one sheet is used to cover the top half of the body as a shirt, and another the bottom half, then another to cover the whole body. In the case of women, one may be wrapped as a headscarf and another over the chest.
The funeral procession
If possible, the body should be carried, and if possible should not be transported in a hearse. Obviously this is easier in a Muslim country where Islamic graveyards are more common. Otherwise, the body should be carried as much as is possible (i.e. from the funeral car to the place of prayer or from there to the grave). It is obligatory for men to follow the Bier (or funeral procession), even if they do not know the person and the procession just happens to pass them. Women, however, are not allowed to do this. They usually do their morning at home with relatives.
Funeral prayers
The performance of saltul-janzah (the funeral prayer) is considered fard kifyah, or a community obligation. Therefore if someone is buried without it being performed, the whole community is held responsible, but as long as some gather and perform it, the obligation is removed from the community as a whole.
Prayers should preferably be said outside, in a special area for it, but can also be said in the house or in a mosque. They should be done in congregation (like the Friday prayer) and lead by an Imam or the most knowledgeable person present. The Imam faces the Qibla (Mecca) behind the head of the deceased (or the body if it is a woman), who rests on their right side. The prayer is similar to usual prayers, except that a number or Takbeeraat (exclaiming 'God is Great!') are done, and there are no prostration as it is carried out standing.
Additional supplications for the dead person, dead Muslims in general, and for the living, are said.
The Burial
Graves can be dug either straight down with a central burial chamber (shaq) or with a niche (lahd) to one side. They should be made of earth and only consist or bricks or wood to keep the body in place. It is custom for only men to help lower the body into the grave, and blood relatives have most right to do this.
The body should be placed feet-first, laid on its right side and facing the Qibla (Mecca). Prayers should be said while the body is being lowered, by those handing it. The body is kept propped in this position often with earth or bricks to support the head, and then covered. Those present should help to cover the grave by throwing earth and making supplications or reciting from the Quran "We created you from it, and return you into it, and from it we will raise you a second time",(Quran, 20:55).
Although a stone or other marker can be used to indicate the place of burial, it is not allowed to build memorials, tombs or to use ostentatious designs to commemorate a person. However, visiting graves is recommended in Islam in order to help the living reflect on the shortness of this life and the closeness of akhira. Prayers are offered for those who have departed, and the briefness of our own existence reminds us of the need to seek closeness to Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all life.