Islam

Death and Burial

When a Muslim knows that they are dying relatives and friends are sent for; these people gather around the bed.  The dying person must then ask for forgiveness from God and their loved ones.  If possible, the last word spoken or heard by a dying Muslim is ‘God’, this is also the first word heard by a Muslim, just after they are born.  

As soon as possible, after the person has died, friends and family must give the body a final ritual washing and pray.  Those people chosen to wash the body must be of the same sex and a close member of the family.  This ritual washing can either take place in a mosque, in the home or in a community facility.  After this washing has taken place the body is anointed with spices or scents, and then wrapped in clean, white, unstitched cloth from head to toe.  The amount of cloth differs from male to female; men are covered in three pieces of cloth and five for a woman.  During this procedure incense must be burnt.

The body is now washed and dressed appropriately and is carried on foot to the chosen site for burial.  Muslims often have their own cemeteries or small plots of land for burying the dead, for the simple reason that the body’s head must be facing makkah when placed in the ground.  Muslim prefer not to bury the dead in a coffin, so not to waste valuable wood, the body is often advised to be placed in a coffin to follow special health regulations.

There is no difference in how the corpse is dressed, whether the person was rich or poor, important or humble in death and in Allah’s eyes they are the same.  No expenses are to be made at the funeral.  The funeral must be simple; leaders do not have a special cemetery, but the same funeral as others of less importance.

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While the body is being lowered into the ground the mourners say the following:

        ‘In the name of God

        We commit you to the earth, according to the Way of the Prophet of God.’                                                                                                          

The mourners then sprinkle down a little earth while saying:

‘We created you ...

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