Muslim

A Muslim funeral service is usually performed in a family home and led by a chosen family member or Imam to keep the funeral personal. However, Muslim funerals very often have the whole Muslim community in attendance due to the spiritual significance of death – although women of the Muslim faith often do not attend funerals.

Cremation is forbidden, so the body is eventually buried, following a ceremony involving important funeral prayers.

The body is taken to the burial site and, after it is lowered into the grave, members of the funeral party throw earth on it and say, “We created you from it, and return you into it, and from it we will raise you a second time.”

The gravestone is simple, usually with just the deceased’s name and dates (many Muslims choose to give their money to the poor instead of spending extravagantly on the funeral). The funeral is followed by three days of mourning often including a banquet to remember the deceased.

Those not part of the Muslim faith are welcome at Muslim funerals; however, it is vital that those in attendance wear modest clothing, and headscarves are essential for women.