What happens at a Muslim funeral?

In more detail

• The washing and the shroud, in private

  Trained volunteers of the same sex wash the body in a private room, with it covered from navel to knee throughout, then shroud it in plain white cloth. Only those washing, and family who wish to help, are present.

  Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1253 · Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1264

• The janazah prayer

  It has four takbīrs (saying Allāhu akbar): after the first, al-Fātiḥah or praise of Allah; after the second, blessings on the Prophet ﷺ; after the third, a duʿāʾ for the one who has died; after the fourth, the salām. If you do not know the Arabic, pray for them in your own words after the third takbīr.

  Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1245 · Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1335 · Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3370 · Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 963

• If you arrive late

  Join at the imam’s next takbīr and follow him. Ask the imam how to complete what you missed.

• The burial

  The body is taken straight to the grave, in a Muslim cemetery or a Muslim section of one. Follow if you can. When the Prophet ﷺ finished burying someone, he would stand at the grave and tell those there to ask forgiveness for the one who had died, and that they be kept firm.

  Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3221 (ṣaḥīḥ, al-Albānī)

• Afterwards

  Condolence is offered to the family for about three days. Friends and neighbours cook for the family, so that the family does not have to.

  Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3132 (ḥasan, al-Albānī) · Ibn ʿĀbidīn, Radd al-Muḥtār (Ḥanafī), 2:241