Islamic Funeral

chou-chou

A friend has recently died and I'm not sure how the funeral arrangements are likely to work so wondered if anyone here can help.

He was a Muslim but not strictly practising (enjoyed an occasional drink, etc.) although his family are. Family live a couple of hundred miles away and I don't know them at all.

If it were to be a Christian or secular funeral I'd normally expect to find out when the service was and go along to pay my respects but am not sure if it would be the case for an Islamic funeral. Would you only expect Muslims to attend or would it be normal for non-Muslim friends, colleagues, etc. to attend?

I don't want to contact his family at this point to ask questions as they have enough to deal with but would really like to pay my last respects if possible and I know that Islamic funerals often happen very quickly after death.

candlelight_2013

Unless the Coroner is involved the funeral would normally take place within 48 hours, or he may be transported to his country of origin, depending on his families wishes.

I can't advise you on attendance, but I have an idea women don't attend the funeral, but I could be very wrong in that respect, forgive me if I am

Caandlelightx

margaretclare

Yes, they have to happen within 24 hours of death, same with Jewish.

I like this. I detest the way things are for the rest of us, dead people being kept in cold storage for anything up to 3 weeks.

It's seen as being more respectful to the deceased, to lay them to rest without delay.

SailorSam

If he was a friend i'd go. Religion shouldn't even come into it, you're going to show your respects. Look at it from the other side, if you'd died wouldn't you like to think your friends would come to say Goodbye.

getmore4less

If you know when and where he died, places often have a default undertaker to do the initial collection they may know who is dealing with the arrangements if you don't feel ready to contact the family.

chou-chou

It's an unexpected death and post mortem is required so not likely to be immediate. I am female so not sure whether that wuld make a difference. I will go if appropriate but if not then will just pay respects in my own way. Thanks guys.

getmore4less

Do you know if they have any one local(asume they lived local) that is helping out. If not they may be greatfull for some help.

g6jns_2

chou-chou wrote: »

It's an unexpected death and post mortem is required so not likely to be immediate. I am female so not sure whether that wuld make a difference. I will go if appropriate but if not then will just pay respects in my own way. Thanks guys.

Women are not normally present at Islamic funerals.

mumps

margaretclare wrote: »

Yes, they have to happen within 24 hours of death, same with Jewish.

I like this. I detest the way things are for the rest of us, dead people being kept in cold storage for anything up to 3 weeks.

It's seen as being more respectful to the deceased, to lay them to rest without delay.

I think it is Jewish law that burials happen within 24 hours but for Muslims it is a custom and varies, Islam is a worldwide religion and various traditions have grown up. My Muslim brother in law came from a community that believed the burial should be before the next Sabbath so that could be a week or a few hours.

chou-chou wrote: »

It's an unexpected death and post mortem is required so not likely to be immediate. I am female so not sure whether that wuld make a difference. I will go if appropriate but if not then will just pay respects in my own way. Thanks guys.

Again this will probably vary but in my BILs community women could attend the mosque but not the actual burial.

Some Muslims shroud the body rather than using a coffin, this is can seem unusual to non Muslims and not all cemeteries allow it. There are also circumstances where it is not appropriate.

Errata

Jewish law is that Jews should be buried/cremated within 24 hours whenever possible.

mumps

Errata wrote: »

Jewish law is that Jews should be buried/cremated within 24 hours whenever possible.

Well yes, I guess in the UK that isn't always possible, if a PM is need for example, must be similar in other countries. With Islam I think it is as soon as possible.