Muslim Funeral

Muslim Funerals (Janazah)

For many years, Surrey Jamia Mosque has been providing burial services to the Muslim community. Our team of highly trained staff is always ready to assist and can usually arrange burials for the next day (subject to the availability of burial certificates) at any cemetery in Reigate and Banstead. We have a dedicated team of staff and qualified volunteers who are committed to delivering a comprehensive service for both men and women in accordance with Shari’ah law.

“ Muslim law and tradition have endowed a Muslim’s funeral with profound religious significance and it should, in every respect , express the dignity, sanctity and modesty of a solemn religious service. Tajhee Takfeen Janazah Salah Carrying the bier to the grave. Tadfeen “

Key Information About Our Funeral Services !

If the death occurs at home, the GP is the first person to contact who will verify the death. If the GP is not available, then a locum will attend to verify the death and authorise the body to be removed. Muslims Funeral Services Ltd can then collect the body and bring it to our mortuary. If the death occurs in a hospital, the hospital will provide a Medical Certificate showing the cause of death or will refer to a coroner if the cause of death is uncertain or questioned. The body is kept in the hospital mortuary until the executor arranges for the body to be taken away.

The funeral cost – Janazah £3,500
Reporting a death to your GP
Registering a death with the County Council
The funeral prayers – Janazah Salah
The burial of the deceased – Tadfeen.
The shrouding (kafan) of the deceased – Takfeen.
The final bathing (ghusl) of the deceased – Tajheez.
The funeral procession – Carrying the bier to the grave.

When you go to the registrar you should take all these:

The medical certificate of the cause of the death. The deceased’s medical card, if possible. The pink form (form 100), if one has been given to you by the coroner. The deceased’s birth and marriage certificates, if available.

You should tell the registrar:

The date and place of death. The deceased’s last (usual) address. The deceased’s first names and surname (and the maiden name where appropriate) . The deceased’s date and place of birth (town and country if born in the UK, and country if born abroad). The deceased’s occupation and the name and occupation of their spouse Whether the deceased was getting a pension or allowance from public funds. If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.

The Registrar will give you: A Certificate for Burial – known as the Green Form – (unless the coroner has already given you an Order for Burial). The original copy should be taken to the funeral director to allow for the burial to be booked at the cemetery. Cemeteries do not accept any bookings without a coy of this form. The original copy will then be sent to the cemetery on the day of the burial.

Funeral Guide

Introduction to Death

Death is a very painful and emotional time which for many serves as a testing time. However with The correct attitude it can act as a means of hope and mercy. Muslims believe that death is the end of the life of this world, yet the beginning of the next. In essence the true life is yet to come as it is eternal. It is at this very moment that Muslims pray for Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala mercy to be with the departed, in hope that they may find peace and happiness in the life to come.

Care for the Dying

When a Muslim is near death, those around him/her are called upon to give comfort, and reminders of Gods mercy and forgiveness. They may recite verses of the Quran, give physical comfort, and encourage the dying one to recite words of remembrance and prayer. It is recommended, if at all possible, for a Muslim’s last words to be the declaration of faith: “ I bear Witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.” (However it should be noted that this be done in a very soft manner without enforcing the declaration as it is possible that due to extreme discomfort, pain and disillusion from Satan that the dying individual responds harshly against advice.)

Upon death, those with the deceased are encouraged to remain calm, pray for the departed, and most importantly begin preparations for the burial of the body. The eyes of the deceased should be closed, and the body covered temporarily with a clean sheet. It is forbidden for those in mourning to excessively wail, scream, or thrash about. “Those who tear their clothes and beat their chests (in mourning) are not from us. “Grief is normal when one has lost a loved one, and it is natural and permitted to cry. When the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) own son died, he said: “The eyes shed tears and the heart is grieved, but we will not say anything except which pleases our Lord. ” One should strive to be patient, and remember that Allah (SWT) is the one who gives life and takes it away, at a time appointed by Him. It is not for us to question His wisdom.

Muslims strive to bury the deceased as soon as possible after death, avoiding the need for embalming or otherwise disturbing the body of the deceased. An autopsy may be performed, if necessary (in accordance to the law of the land), but should be done with the utmost respect for the dead.

Washing & Shrouding

In preparation for the burial, the family or other members of the community will wash and shroud the body. The deceased will be washed respectfully, with clean and scented water, in a manner similar to how Muslims wash in the ritual bath. The body will then be wrapped in sheets of clean, white cloth (called a Kafan). Three sheets are used for men and five sheets for women.

Funeral Prayers

The Deceased is then transported to the site of the funeral prayers (Salat-l-Janazah). These prayers are commonly held outdoors, in a courtyard, public square or if need be inside the mosque. The community gathers, and the Imam (prayer leader) stands in front of the deceased, facing away from the worshippers. The funeral prayer is similar in structure to the five daily prayers, with a few variations e.g. there is no bowing or prostrations.

Burial

The deceased is then taken to the cemetery for the burial. While the members of the community attend the funeral prayers, only the men of the community accompany the body to the gravesite. It is preferred for a Muslim to be buried where he or she died, and not be transported to another location or country (Which may cause delays or embalming the body). If available, a cemetery (or section of one) set aside for Muslims is preferred. The deceased is laid in the grave (without a coffin if permitted by local law) on his /her right side, facing Mecca. At the gravesite, it is discouraged for people to erect tombstones, elaborate markers, or put flowers or other mementos. Rather, one should humbly remember Allah and His Mercy, and pray for the deceased.

Mourning

Loved ones and relatives are to observe a 3- day Mourning period. Mourning is observed in Islam by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences. Widows observe and extended mourning period (Iddah), 4 months and 10 days long, in accordance with the Quran 2:234. During this time, she is not to remarry, move from her home, or wear decorative clothing or jewellery, It is equally important to note that cultural customs should be avoided in the burial rites e.g. Feeding on the 40th day, as only those acts of worship carried out on the behalf of the deceased my benefit him/her that are in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah.

When one dies, everything in this earthly Life is left behind, and there are no more opportunities to perform acts of righteousness not even single litanies. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) once said that there are three things however, which may continue to benefit a person after death: Charity given during life which continues to help others, Knowledge for which people continue to benefit, and a righteous child who prays for the deceased.

Key Information

A Muslim funeral, or Janazah, involves quick preparation, including washing and shrouding the body, followed by collective prayers (Salat al-Janazah) led by an Imam, usually within 24-48 hours of death.

Redstone Cemetery

Address: Redstone Lodge, Philanthropic Rd, Redhill RH1 4DG

Phone: 01737 276000

Email: cemeteries@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Registering a Death

Address: Reigate Library, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7RP

Phone: 0300 200 1002

Email: contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk

Muslims Funeral Services Ltd

Address: 73 Mitcham Lane, Streatham, London, SW16 6LY

Phone: +44 785 226 8014

Email: info@mfs.org.uk

Emergency Contact

Address: 30 Earlswood Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 6HW

Phone: 07828783600

Email: info@surreymosque.com

When you go to the registrar you should take all these

The medical certificate of the cause of the death

The deceased’s medical card, if possible

The pink form (form 100), if one has been given to you by the coroner

The deceased’s birth and marriage certificates, if available

Registration of Death

To avoid delay, the death must be registered by the Registrars of Births and Deaths for the sub-district in which the death occurred.

You can find their address by visiting the official website of the General Register Office, in the phone book under ‘Registration of Births, Deaths & Marriages’, from the doctor, local council, post office or police station.

Check when the registrar will be available and whether only you need to go along. It may be that someone other than you will be needed to give information for the death to be registered.

If the death has been referred to the coroner, it cannot be registered until the registrar has received authority from the coroner to do so (see above), otherwise, go to the registrar as soon as possible.

You should tell the Registrar

The date and place of death The deceased’s last (usual) address The deceased’s first names and surname (and the maiden name where appropriate) The deceased’s date and place of birth (town and country if born in the UK, and country if born abroad) The deceased’s occupation and the name and occupation of their spouse Whether the deceased was getting a pension or allowance from public funds If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.