The Islamic faith doesn't allow coffins or burial caskets. Instead, those burying the body will place stones or wood at the bottom of the grave to prevent the body from contacting the soil and gently lay their loved one on top with their right side facing the qibla.
In Islam, the dead are traditionally buried with neither pomp nor casket, placed into the ground wearing only a white shroud. This practice is in keeping with the belief that in death, all are equal despite any possessions or wealth accumulated in life. The practice is also a parable for the living.
The rule in Islamic law is that every dead body should be buried in an individual grave. However, in cases of necessity, two or three bodies—or even more if needed—can be buried in the same grave.
There is rarely an open casket at an Islamic funeral. The funeral is typically held outside the mosque, in a location such as a prayer room, community square, or courtyard, where members of the community may gather. The body and all attendees are all turned to face Mecca, which is the holy center of Islam.
Muslims are always buried, never cremated. It is a religious requirement that the body be ritually washed and draped before burial, which should be as soon as possible after death. Those carrying out this duty should be immunised against hepatitis B and be aware of the hazards of AIDS.
Visitors are strongly advised not to step on or over a grave or sit on a grave. Visitors are strongly discouraged to express sadness by wailing hysterically in a loud voice as this goes against the etiquettes of visiting graves.
40 Days After Death In Islam
Imams (leader of an Islamic worship service) suggest that after death when a person's soul gets separated from the body, the soul lives on and visits the loved ones on the seventh and the 40th day after death. The soul also visits them after one year of passing.
It is acceptable in Islam to express grief over a death. Crying and weeping at the time of death, at the funeral, and at the burial are all acceptable forms of expression.
Muslims are always buried, never cremated. It is a religious requirement that the body be ritually washed and draped before burial, which should be as soon as possible after death. Those carrying out this duty should be immunised against hepatitis B and be aware of the hazards of AIDS.
Islam. The sacred texts of Islam prefer burial on land, "so deep that its smell does not come out and the beasts of prey do not dig it out". However, if a person dies at sea and it is not possible to bring the body back to land before decay, or if burial at land becomes impossible, burial at sea is allowed.
Typically, funerals are held within a few days up to a week after the person's death. This gives the family enough time to make arrangements with the funeral home and contact the loved ones of the deceased.
Equally the Quran says that: 'If anyone saves a life, it is as if he saves the lives of all humankind'. Thus many Muslims understand from this verse that donating one's organs is a blessed act. In 1995, the Muslim Law (Sharia) Council UK issued a fatwa, religious edict, saying organ donation is permitted.
Length of Islamic Periods of Mourning
The general mourning period is three days following the death. Most families will stay together in a family home and receive guests- friends and more distant family coming to express condolences and offer prayers on behalf of the deceased and family.
In fact, Hinduism is the only religion that mandates cremation, which is known as antim sanskar, or last rites. It is usually performed within 24 hours of death or as soon as possible, due to the fact that Hinduism also doesn't traditionally use embalming or other preservation tactics.
In most cases, a burial at sea is not permitted except under extraordinary circumstances. For instance, if the person dies while at sea and the body cannot be transported back to land due to a long distance. Muslims typically should be buried in the ground.
In Islam, it is traditional to have a 40 day mourning period following a death. The period can be longer or shorter, depending upon the personal relationship one had with the deceased. While Muslims believe that the soul had judgment or trials immediately after death, families spend time in mourning for up to 40 days.
Can a woman attend a Muslim funeral? Traditionally, only men are allowed to attend the burial, however, some Muslim communities permit women to attend.
After the burial each person is interrogated by two angels, called Munkar and Nakir, appointed by God to question the dead in order to test their faith. The righteous believers answer correctly and live in peace and comfort while the sinners and disbelievers fail and punishments ensue.
The Afterlife
The Quran states that God will judge each individual by his or her deeds and that heaven awaits those who have lived righteously and hell those who have not. Belief in the afterlife is widespread among Muslims – majorities in all but one of the countries surveyed say they believe in heaven and in hell.
Those present when the person passes should continue tradition by saying “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un”.
The observation of the 40th day after death occurs in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The ritual represents spiritual intercession on the part of the dead, who are believed to collectively await the Day of Judgment.
Professional mourning is brought up many times throughout the Bible.
This is not the belief in Islam at all. It's completely against the teachings of Islam. For those of our loved ones who will be fortunate to be in paradise, if we are fortunate to be in paradise as well ... they will be able to meet up with each other.
24-72 hours after death — the internal organs decompose. 3-5 days after death — the body starts to bloat and blood-containing foam leaks from the mouth and nose. 8-10 days after death — the body turns from green to red as the blood decomposes and the organs in the abdomen accumulate gas.
Black putrefaction (10-20 days after death) – exposed skin turns black, bloating collapses and fluids are released from the body. Butyric fermentation (20-50 days after death) – the remaining flesh is removed, butyric acid is formed "fermenting" the remains and the body begins to mold if in contact with the ground.