Life Is Temporary A death has occurred

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إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ

Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn. Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return. Qurʾān, al-Baqarah 2:156

When a Muslim dies in Minnesota

You do not have to do this alone, or all at once. Your masjid has done this many times. Follow the steps in order, and open each one when you reach it.

Ink drawing of a folded white cloth on a wooden bench beside a sprig of red sidr leaves.

As soon as you can, call your masjid’s funeral committee.They will arrange the washing, the shroud, the prayer and the burial, and tell you which funeral home to use.

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What Minnesota law says
Death certificate filing
The funeral director or other person in charge of the burial files the death record, and it must be filed within five days after death and before burial. Ask the funeral home to confirm it has been filed. Minn. Stat. 144.221; Minn. R. 4601.1500
Ordering death certificates
Certified death certificates come from the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records or any county vital records office; going in person to a county office is usually fastest. Only eligible people (such as close family) can get a certified copy. Death Certificates (MDH Office of Vital Records)
Embalming and refrigeration
Embalming is not required in ordinary cases: if burial will not happen within 72 hours, the body may be refrigerated (up to six days) or packed in dry ice (up to four days) instead. Embalming, refrigeration or dry ice is also required for public transport or public viewing. Minn. Stat. 149A.91, subd. 3; 149A.94, subd. 1
Objecting to an autopsy
If the family representative objects to an autopsy on religious grounds, an autopsy must not be done unless the coroner or medical examiner finds a compelling state interest, such as a suspected crime, a public health threat or the unexpected death of a child. A court can also order one in limited cases. Minn. Stat. 390.11, subd. 2b
Small estates
If the probate estate is worth $75,000 or less (after debts secured on it), heirs can collect personal property such as bank accounts and vehicles by affidavit 30 days after death, without probate. This does not cover real estate; ask the probate court about other options. Minn. Stat. 524.3-1201 (limit last amended 2016)

From official Minnesota sources, checked October 2026. Laws change; your funeral home and an estate attorney can confirm them.

0 of 37 done

  1. Have the death pronounced

    In the first hour · 0 of 3

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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

    How the washing and shroud are done

  7. 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.

    How to pray the janazah prayer

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. Settle and divide the estatePaperwork

    In the months after · 0 of 4

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

    See how the estate divides

  12. 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.

    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