Muslim Funeral Guide
The procedures listed below are a basic outline of the steps required to ensure a quick burial of a departed Brother or Sister in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The first step in all cases is to contact the following people immediately:
1) Family Doctor
2) Funeral Director
3) Local Imam
4) Close Relatives
Death at Home / Hospital
Cause of Death Known
A |
If the deceased persons GP had attended them, at home, during their last illness and, can certify the cause of death or, if at hospital, the doctor is aware of the cause of death, then a Medical Certificate will be issued free of charge, stating the cause of death. |
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B |
Inform the funeral director that a Medical Certificate has been issued. He will make arrangements with the cemetery and arrange for the body to be taken for washing. |
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C |
To register the death, you should take the Medical Certificate to the Registrar of Births and Deaths of the area where the death took place (the Registrar is usually based at the Civic Offices or the Town Hall - your doctor, local council, post office, or police station should know the address). |
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D |
When you go to the registrar you should also take the following: the deceased’s NHS Medical Card (if available), Birth and Marriage Certificates (if available). You should inform the Registrar of: the date and place of death; the deceased's usual address; the deceased’s date, town and country of birth; the date and place of death; the deceased's occupation and (if married) the date of birth of the deceased’s widow/er. |
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The Registrar issues 2 free certificates: |
Further Information
F |
In hospital deaths: |
Death at Home / Hospital
Cause of Death Unknown
G |
If, at home, the deceased persons GP is unable to certify the cause of death, then he/she will inform the police who in turn will inform the Coroner.
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H |
The Coroner will probably arrange for a post-mortem examination of the body. The main purpose of this is to ascertain the cause of death. The consent of the relatives is not needed for this. They are, however, entitled to be represented at the examination by a doctor. If they are represented, the Coroner will, if practicable, tell the relatives the time and place of examination. |
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After the post-mortem: |
Other Useful Information
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A Death Certificate is obtainable from the Registrar and is a certified copy of the entry in the death register. There is a fee for this certificate and one is required for the will, pension claims etc... It is better to obtain several copies straight away as the price increases if you need one later. |
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During public holidays or after office hours the Certificate for Burial (green form) can be obtained from the Registrar from his/her home. |
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It is recommended that at least four persons be present to help bath and carry the body. Washing will normally take place at the funeral directors premises. The Imam of the local Masjid will be available to guide the washing and prepare the ‘Kafan’. |
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After performing the Janazah Prayer at the masjid or at the cemetery, if facilities are available there, the body is taken in a coffin to the graveyard. During the Summer months the last time for burial is usually 4.00 p.m. and during Winter it is normally 3.00 p.m. |
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Certain cemeteries do not allow coffin boxes to be opened at the graveyard. Therefore to ensure that the head of the deceased is facing the ‘Qibla’ and where it is in relation to the coffin, make sure this is done before closing the coffin and before entering the cemetery. |
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Some cemeteries are now allowing bodies to be buried without using a ‘wooden’ coffin so that Muslims can be buried in the ‘Kafan’ only. In most cases, prior arrangements have to be made to do this. Please check with your Local Council Cemetery Department. |
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There are several Private Muslim Burial sites throughout the UK. Funeral Directors will have details of these. |
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Please see the Classified Section for ‘Funeral Directors’ who will be able to advise you further. |
Source:
- Local Council/Authority
- Local Hospital/GP
- Funeral Directors
- Friends & Family (whose love one past away)
- Internet Search
Note: This information is from beginning of 2012. This information could change in the near future for different borough/county/district.
How to Decide on a Burial Plot How to Purchase a Cemetery Plot Funeral Prayer (Salatul-Janazah)
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