When a Muslim dies in District of Columbia

1. 1

   Have the death pronounced

   In the first hour · 0 of 3

   A death has to be confirmed before anything else can happen.

   • In a hospital or hospice, ask the staff to pronounce the death
   • At home and unexpected, call 911
   • Tell the staff early that the family needs a quick release for a religious burial
2. and

   Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā

   In the first hour · at the same time as the step above · 0 of 4

   Gently and without hurry. Those present can do this while the calls are made.

   • Close the eyes and the mouth
   • Straighten the arms and legs
   • Cover the body with a clean sheet
   • Pray for them, and say only good
3. 2

   Call the masjid’s funeral committee

   In the first few hours · 0 of 3

   They arrange the washing, the shroud, the prayer and the burial, and usually know which funeral home to use.

   • Call the funeral committee or the imam
   • Tell them where the body is and who the next of kin is
   • Agree a time for the ghusl and the janazah prayer
4. 3

   Ask whether a coroner is involvedPaperwork

   If the death was sudden · 0 of 3

   After an unexpected death a coroner or medical examiner may need to examine the body, which can delay burial.

   • Ask the hospital or police whether the case has gone to the coroner
   • Ask whether an autopsy is required
   • Ask how to register a religious objection under District of Columbia law
5. 4

   Choose a funeral home that allows ghuslPaperwork

   Within the first day · 0 of 3

   Many funeral homes work with Muslim committees. Your committee will usually name one.

   • Confirm the committee can wash the body there
   • Ask for no embalming and no viewing
   • Ask the funeral home to file the death certificate and the burial permit
6. and

   Wash and shroud the body

   Within the first day · at the same time as the step above · 0 of 2

   Done by trained Muslims of the same sex, or by the spouse. The committee usually provides the cloth.

   • Confirm who will wash
   • Confirm the kafan is ready

   How the washing and shroud are done

7. 5

   The janazah prayer and the burial

   As soon as possible · 0 of 3

   The prayer is often held after one of the daily prayers, and the burial follows straight after.

   • Tell family and community the time of the prayer
   • Confirm the grave in a Muslim cemetery or Muslim section
   • Ask the plot price and the fee to open and close the grave

   How to pray the janazah prayer

8. 6

   Get copies of the death certificatePaperwork

   In the first week · 0 of 2

   Banks, insurers, the DMV and government offices will each want a certified copy.

   • Order several certified copies through the funeral home
   • Or order them from the District of Columbia vital records office
9. 7

   Pay the funeral costs and list every debt

   In the first weeks · 0 of 3

   The funeral is paid from the estate first, then the debts. Nothing is inherited until both are settled.

   • Pay the funeral costs from the estate
   • List loans, bills and money owed to family
   • Ask a scholar about any unpaid zakat
10. and

    Find the will, and tell Social SecurityPaperwork

    In the first weeks · at the same time as the step above · 0 of 4

    The executor named in the will leads what follows.

    • Check papers at home, email, and with any attorney
    • Confirm the funeral home reported the death to Social Security
    • Ask about survivor benefits
    • Secure the house and car, and keep the phone line active for sign-in codes
11. 8

    Settle and divide the estatePaperwork

    In the months after · 0 of 4

    Small estates may qualify for a simpler process in District of Columbia. One call to a local estate attorney will tell you.

    • Open probate if the estate needs it
    • Close accounts and cancel subscriptions
    • Pay any bequest, up to one third, to people who are not heirs
    • Divide the rest by the fixed shares

    See how the estate divides

12. 9

    Look after the family

    Four months and ten days · 0 of 3

    Mourning is kept to three days, except by a widow, who mourns four months and ten days, the length of her ʿiddah, or until she gives birth if she is pregnant.

    • Bring food and help with the household
    • Help the widow with errands and appointments
    • Make duʿā for the one who has died

    What to say and do when you visit

General guidance, not a fatwa or legal advice. Rules on autopsies, embalming, burial permits and probate differ by state; your funeral home and a local estate attorney can confirm them. All sources