FUNERALS SERVICES
When A Muslim Passes Away
Five Main Procedures for the Preparation of a Muslim’s Body for Burial
What Should Be Done In Case Of A Death In Milwaukee
It is Sunnah (the tradition of Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him) to do the following when a person is about to die:
- Encourage the dying person to say the Shahadah: "La ilaha illa-Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah." - The testimony that “there is no other deity except Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” Respect requires that one be sensitive and discrete (i.e. do no tell the person “say the Shahadah because you are close to death”).
- If possible, lay the dying person so that he/she is facing the Qibla (direction of prayer/Makka) which in the United States, is in a Northeasterly direction.
Upon Death:
Immediately close the eyes of the deceased.Cover the deceased and prepare the body for burial as soon as practical. Settle the debt of the deceased (Very important). A believer should, at the death of any person, invoke the name of Allah and say: "Verily we belong to Allah and truly unto Him we shall return.”
Ghusl - Washing The Deceased
Washing the body of the deceased (Ghusl) is obligatory on Muslims; it is a Fard Kifaya (i.e. - if some members of the community take the responsibility for performing the obligation, the need is fulfilled; if no one fulfills the obligation, then all Muslims in the community will be held accountable).Washing is carried out as follows:
A man's body should be washed by men and a woman's body by women. A child's body may be washed by either sex. A husband can wash his wife's body and vice-versa if the need arises. It is recommended that only those who perform the Ghusl be present during the washing and it is preferable-though not required– for the family members (of the same gender as the adult deceased) to participate in the washing. Individuals from the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, both male and female are available to assist in performing the Ghusl service. The following is a brief description of the procedure.
- The body is placed on an elevated surface. Only clean water is to be used and it is preferable to use a cloth and warm water for the washing.
- Ablution (as performed prior to prayers) will be performed on the deceased with minor changes. The body is to be washed until all impurity is removed.
- As with ablution, cleaning commences on the right side of the body for each wash.
- The initial washes are performed with water and soap. The last wash can be performed with water and scented oil that contains no alcohol. Hair should be un-braided, washed and combed. For women, hair may again be braided. The body is dried with a clean cloth or towel and scented oil is sometimes added.
Muslims do not embalm the body (remove blood and replace it with a preservative) as is common in the United States. Muslims also do not believe in cremation (burning the body and collecting the ashes).
In keeping with a Muslim’s obligation to respect the privacy of others, including the deceased, those involved in the washing are forbidden from disclosing negative information about the deceased. In keeping with Muslim views on modesty, even in death, the private parts of the deceased remain covered at all times during the washing.
Kafan - Covering The Deceased
The Kafan is the simple, clean (and preferably white cotton) cloth that is used to cover the deceased. Several pieces of cloth are used to “clothe” the deceased with the outer covering enveloping the entire body. The Kafan represents the total equality of all humans in the eyes of God. The Kafan forms the only covering allowed, regardless of the deceased’s origin, wealth, race, nationality or social status. Similarly, no other article of jewelry or ornament is to be placed on the deceased, and no cosmetic or other substance is to be used to superficially alter or modify the deceased’s God-given characteristics.Prayers For The Deceased
It is preferable that those praying divide themselves into many rows facing the Qibla (direction of prayer/ Makka). The body (or bodies) is placed in front of the Imam (person who will lead the prayers).Each person should have ablution and the appropriate Neeyat (intention to pray for the deceased) in his/her heart. The prayer includes four “Takbeerah’s”. That is each person will raise his/her hands and say Allahu-Akbar (Allah is Greater than All), followed by folding one’s hands in front of one’s body with the right hand on the left hand (as during regular prayers).
After the first Takbeerah, each person quietly recites al -Fatiha (first chapter of the Qur’an) [or will praise Allah according to the Abu Hanifa School.] After the second Takbeerah, each person quietly asks Allah to bestow His Grace on the Prophet, such as reciting the “Abrahamic Prayer”. After the third Takbeerah, each person quietly recites a du’a (prayer) for the deceased. After the fourth Takbeerah, each person quietly recites a du’a for all believers. To conclude the prayer, each person then says Assalamu Alaikum (peace be upon you).
Note: Showing the face of the deceased is permissible before or after prayer if the family requests it.
Funeral
During the Procession, mourners should walk in front of or beside the bier. Those who are riding or driving should follow behind the bier. Silence is recommended and it is absolutely forbidden to accompany the body with loud wailing or music.Burial
The Islamic Society of Milwaukee has purchased private sections of land in two local cemeteries. The land is used exclusively for Muslim burials. One section is at Wisconsin Memorial Park (13235 W. Capitol Dr.) and the other is at Arlington Cemetery (4001 S. 27th St.)Muslims should realize that there are a few Islamic burial practices that cannot be followed due to the Wisconsin laws or cemetery regulations (i.e. - Muslims prefer that a casket not be used unless there is a specific need for it while cemetery regulations require the use of a casket and cement vault for all burials.)
The graves in the Islamic Cemeteries are excavated in a direction that allows for the deceased's body to be placed in the ground with the face positioned toward the Qibla. The casket (which should be the simplest and the least costly) is placed into a cement vault which is then closed with a cement cover.
All individuals present at the burial are encouraged to participate in the burial by placing a handful of soil onto the grave. The presence of women is permissible with the understanding that unrestricted contact between the sexes does not take place. Also, loud wailing and other Islamically unacceptable forms of mourning are prohibited.
Recommended Condolences
Cemetery costs:
Excavation & Closing vault (required)………………………………………………..…$1,100.00
Marker/headstone: (NOT required)……………………………………………………..…$430.00
Funeral Home Charges (required)………………………………………………….…...$ 1,750.00
(This is a negotiated flat fee with Max A. Sass and Sons Funeral Homes. It includes the casket, transportation of the deceased to the funeral home, facilities for washing the deceased, transportation to the cemetery and other minor items. Additional services will cost extra.)
Cemetery Plot and Kafan (required)…………………………..………………………….$1000.00
‘Aza Hall
The Islamic Society provides the family of the deceased with a hall to conduct ‘Aza (receiving condolences) during the traditional three days of ‘Aza. Donations to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee are appreciated.All costs are subject to change. Cemetery costs assume 24 hours notice and the Cemetery requires 24 hours notice prior to any burial. Cemetery costs are greater on Saturdays and holidays. No Sunday burials are performed.
Prepared under the direction of the President of ISM, Othman Atta