Funeral in Islam – Some details

  • There is no cremation in Islam. 
  • It is preferable not to have a post mortem performed unless absolutely essential for medical and or legal purposes. 
  • There is also no need for embalming (preserving the body). 
  • 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-e-kifaya – an obligation which if performed by 1 member of the community, then the entire community is absolved from 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 the following essential steps:

 

  1. Washing the body 
  2. Shrouding the body 
  3. The Funeral Prayer
  4. The Burial Process