Burying the deceased

As soon as a person sees the effects of death on a person and realises that he’s soon to leave this world, then the people should start reciting Quran, preferably Surah Ya-Sin, also others around him should do talqeen which means they should quietly recite the kalimah, so the one on the deathbed can also repeat it after them, it should be kept in mind that one shouldn’t shout or forcefully make the person recite it, as they are going through some serious pains and they are in the pans of death. Also those who are in the state of major impurity should also move away as the Angels will be descending and they are pure & they like purity.

Once they realise that the individual has actually passed away then one should make dua for the deceased, generally at that moment Inna lillah wa inna ilayhi raj’iun (إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ‎) is said.

Other supplications can be also recited.

One should make sure that the mouth and eyes of the deceased are closed and some item may be placed over the stomach of the deceased to prevent from inflating.

Once this has taken place, depending on the law of the country the procedures thereafter may differ, generally the death certificate has to be obtained from a doctor / council and if they insist on a postmortem then that will have to take place.

Ghusl

Ghusl is bathing the deceased, a male can not be bathed by females and vice versa, generally in western countries we don’t have to do much for ghusl either, there are organisations who do it for you, however I’ll briefly write how it should be carried out,

1) Place the body on a nice clean bench or raised surface if possible.
2) The private parts should be covered at all times.
3) Firstly ablution (wudu) should be made on the person thereafter ghusl.
4) The procedure of ghusl is the normal, however it should be done gently with the deceased and the private parts should be washed thoroughly without being exposed, i.e. some close family member may just insert their hand under the covering and clean the area.

kafan

Thereafter Islamically the next step is of the kafan (shrouding of the white cloths). The kafan of a male should consist of three white winding sheets about (7 x 7 feet), clean and large enough to conceal the whole body, after having been perfumed with incense. Use 4 tie ropes, each 7 feet long.

The material of the sheet should not be silk, nor should any gold be used.

Steps of shrouding

The winding sheets should be spread out one on the top of the other. The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on his back on the winding sheets. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.

If it is possible the deceased’s left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salaat (Prayer). The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. The third and the largest sheet should be treated the same way.

These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth (Tie ropes), one above the head, and another under the feet, and two around the body. 

The Kafan of a female

The Kafan of a female should consist of five white garments, (Two winding sheet, a long loose sleeveless shirt (From shoulder to feet), a waist wrapper, and a head veil), these should be large enough to cover the whole body and may be perfumed with incense, a loin cloth may be used to bind the upper part of her legs, use 4 tie ropes, each one is 7 feet long.

Steps of Shrouding

The garments are spread out
First: winding sheets (7 x 7 feet)
Second: the long loose sleeveless shirt (3 1/2 x 14 feet, with a hole in the middle line for the head)
Third: waist wrapper (6 feet x 3 1/2 feet)
Fourth head veil (a 4×4 square feet white sheet),
Fifth: the loin cloth (12 inches wide x 4 feet long).

The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on her back on the shroud.

Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet. The waist wrapper is tied in place. Put on the sleeveless shirt (Long to cover the body from the shoulder to the feet). Put the head veil. The deceased’s left hand should be placed on her chest, then put her right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salaat (Prayer).

The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth (Tie ropes), one above the head, and another under the feet, and two around the body.

NOTE: There is no Islamic teaching of writing anything on the shrouds.

Where should the janaazah ṣalāh be perfomed

This ṣalāh should not be performed in the mosque. It could be performed in any open area or in a building specially built for Janāzah ṣalāh. It is important to remember that when performing Ṣalāt al-Janāzah in the grave yard there should be no graves immediately in dront of the congrigation. It should be performed as far away from the graves as possible, or there should be an obstruction between the worshippers and the graves.

Note – the Ṣalāt al-Janāzah may be performed at any time apart from the prohibited times of any other normal ṣalāh.