Over the years music has been written for the funeral processions and wakes afterwards (the party of remembrance after the church service). Many famous composers have contributed to this tradition, for example, Mozart, Verdi and Beethoven, to name just a few, for the Roman Catholic Requiem service.
After the church service, where people talk about the deceased and sing hymns to remind them of their lives, the priest leads the procession out into the graveyard, where the deceased’s body is laid to rest, or the ashes are scattered in the most appropriate place. As the body in the coffin is lowered into the ground, the family members and friends, sprinkle soil onto the coffin as the priest says, “We commit the body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” Salvation from Jesus is waiting for us, the end of this mortal life which is rather fleeting and challenging, is the start of immortal, eternal life, which will be exactly as we want it to be, our paradise. Due to this the priest closes with the statement, “Father, into your hands we commend our brother/sister. We are confident that with all who have died with Christ he/she will be raised to life on the last day and live with Christ forever”; this comes at the end of the burial.
Christian’s comfort of death is that the deceased will be born again to spend eternal life with Christ in Heaven. Therefore their loved ones are not lost, they have just moved to a better place. Their soul will live forever with God.
Muslim beliefs about death
Akhirah comforts Muslims at difficult times; it means life after death. We will be judged by Allah when we die, he knows everything that we have ever done. People who have obeyed Allah, ad have been good Muslims will go to Heaven and those that haven’t will go the Hell. Muslims have a similar view to the Christians, in that they think it is a garden.
The Qu’ran gives a description of heaven. “In gardens of delight they shall enjoy honour and happiness facing each other on thrones: a cup will be passed to them from a clear-flowing fountain – delicious to drink and free from intoxication or headaches: and besides them will be innocent women, restraining their glances, with eyes wide with wonder and beauty.” This view would be very comforting to a Muslim.
Bad people who have committed atrocities will go the Jahannam (Hell). Muslims regard this as a place of pain and intense fires.
The Qu’ran also gives a description of Hell. “I warn you of flaming fire. None shall be cast into it but the most wretched, who calls the truth a lie and turned his back.”
Muslim Burial
There are five main points to a Muslim funeral.
- Body washing or Ghusl
- Wrapping or Kafan
- Praying or Salat
- Funeral
- Burial
Ghusl has to take place within 24 hours of the death. There are many rules to follow when dealing with a Muslim funeral. The Ghusl must take place by the members of the same sex as the deceased, or the husband/wife if no one else in the family is available. Only one person is required for washing. The body has to be placed in a high place while the washing is taking place. The clothing needs to be removed and all bodily fluids and mess needs to be cleaned. Only the private parts remain covered at this stage. You can only use a piece of cloth or your hands during Ghusl. They need to perform Wudu on the body – the cleaning of the teeth and nose from the outside only. The body must be washed at least three times, but if it is necessary for the body to be washed again, it must be done so in odd numbers. Men’s hair must not be braided, however women can have three braids in their hair if necessary. The body then needs to be dried with warm towels. Perfume is also put on the body’s head, forehead, nose, armpits, knees, eyes and hands. Also perfumed cotton wool is placed at either end of the coffin.
The cloth used for wrapping the body must be clean, white and should cover the whole body. Kafan perfume is added to the cloth. Never use silk cloth for men. Muslims use 3 pieces of cloth for men and 5 for women. When the body is wrapped the ends need to be tied at the head and feet.
The Imam stands at the front of the Mosque and the congregation is divided into three rows. They face the shortest distance to Mecca as they pray. The bodies are placed in front of the Imam and he stands at the waist of males and at the shoulder of women. If there is more than one body then the men are placed closest to the Imam, with the women further away. You need to have the neeyat – intention to perform Burial Prayers – and you need to raise your arms in the usual fashion saying, Allahu Akbur. The service is concluded when the mourners, say Assalaamu Alaikum.
At the funeral it is recommended to be in silence, for music and crying is forbidden. At the burial the whole should be large and consist of 2 excavations. The smaller one should be inside the larger. The body is placed in the smaller one. While laying the body you have to say Bismillah Wa A'la Milla Rasulallah. It is not recommended to use a casket unless there is a need for it, e.g., if the soil is very loose or wet. A stone, or bricks or some soil should be put under the deceased's head to raise it up. Do not use a pillow or put anything with the deceased inside the grave. Cover the lahd with bricks so that they become like a roof for it. Pour three handfuls of soil. Fill the larger pit with soil. It is preferable that each one of those present share in this by pouring three handfuls of soil. Raise the level of the grave a little less than one foot in a sloping way.
Why Funeral Planning is important to both Muslims and Christians
Planning your funeral gives meaning to your life, bringing close family and friends together. They express their feelings truthfully at times such as this. This process helps alleviate any stress and takes away some of the burden on family and friends.
