What Is the Ruling on Burying a Deceased Person in a Coffin?

Besides the shroud, burying the deceased usually also involves a coffin. For non-Muslims, this may be a familiar practice. But what is the ruling on burying a deceased person in a coffin in Islamic teaching? Is it allowed, and does it go against the sunnah?

First of all, according to the Islamic religion, the way of burying the deceased must follow the sharia that has been established, which includes the pillars, conditions, and proper procedures for carrying out a good and correct burial.

To better understand the ruling, please read on!

The Ruling on Burying a Deceased Person in a Coffin According to Islam

According to the opinion of the scholars, the ruling on burying a deceased person in a coffin is makruh (discouraged). The exception is when a particular excuse (circumstance) exists that is permitted under sharia. Such a circumstance arises beyond human control, so a special method of handling is needed so that the deceased can receive a proper burial.

The situation described above falls under emergency matters, so a coffin is needed. Meanwhile, according to the book Political Thought of Sheikh Al-Banjari in the Development of Political Law by Lekkas, burying the deceased using a coffin also has a purpose of public benefit (maslahah).

In Islamic law, this is called rukhshah, or a concession from Allah SWT to humankind. The purpose of rukhsah is to relieve hardship in every funeral procession. Therefore, the ruling on burying a deceased person in a coffin is permitted, provided there are special conditions regarding the deceased.

Conditions Under Which a Muslim May Be Buried in a Coffin

Every Muslim who passes away must be cared for and buried in accordance with Islamic sharia, the procedures for caring for the deceased which begin with washing the body, wrapping it in a shroud, performing the funeral prayer, and then burial. The burial process itself does not need to use a coffin.

However, there are times when an unforeseen matter arises concerning the deceased, requiring a special means of burial, such as using a coffin. The following are some conditions or matters in which the use of a coffin is permitted:

• The soil at the burial site is too damp and waterlogged.
• There are wild animals that can dig into the ground.
• The deceased is a woman with no mahram.
• The body of the deceased is not intact.
• The deceased died from a contagious epidemic, such as Covid-19.

Steps for Burying the Deceased Properly

Having understood the ruling on burying the deceased in a coffin and its conditions, you should now also know the proper steps for burying the deceased. Here is the full explanation:

1. Preparing the Grave

Before the body is placed in the burial niche, the first step is to prepare the grave. In Islam itself there are several important points you should observe, including:

• The Grave Must Be DeepThe grave for burying the deceased must be as tall as a standing person with arms raised upward. Its width should be one hasta plus one jengkal, equivalent to 50 cm. The purpose of digging a deep grave is to prevent an unpleasant odor from the body during decomposition and to prevent landslides caused by rainwater runoff. This rule is the same as the ruling on burying a deceased person in a coffin.
• The Shape of the Grave Must Follow the RulesThe shape of the grave is rectangular. The length of the grave must match the size of the deceased and be slightly less than their height. For this reason, before the body is washed and wrapped in a shroud, it will first be measured.

However, if the soil is very hard, it is sunnah for the gravedigger to make a burial niche within the grave. That is, the niche is made in the wall of the grave on the side facing the qiblah. Its size must be sufficient for the body.

2. Burial in a Muslim Cemetery

A Muslim who has passed away must be buried in a Muslim cemetery. The same applies to the ruling on burying a deceased person in a coffin. Even without a shroud, a Muslim should rest in a place among fellow Muslims.

However, if there is no special Muslim area and the burial time is very limited, burying the deceased in a non-Muslim cemetery is also not a problem. Yet this condition must truly be an emergency.

3. Pay Attention to the Time of Burial

Regarding the burial of the deceased, there are certain times you should be aware of. Avoid the time from sunrise until it rises, when the sun is at its midpoint, and when the sun is nearly setting or has already set.

This will affect the burial process and the availability of the community members who help with the burial. So, try to choose the right time so that the process runs smoothly.

4. Carry Out the Procedures According to Sharia

Once you have made all the preparations well, it is time to attend to the procedure for burying the deceased in accordance with Islamic law (syariat). These rules are the same as the law on burying the deceased in a coffin. Here is how it is done:

• Place the body at the edge of the grave pit or burial niche, on the qibla side. Lay wooden boards at a slight angle so that the body is protected from soil that may collapse from above the grave.
• Lower the body by placing its head in first from the foot end of the grave, or by taking a position facing south.
• The body should lie on its right side, facing directly toward the qibla, supported by wooden boards or flat stones. These firm materials keep the body tilted rather than lying flat on its back as in sleep.
• Place some earth beneath the right cheek of the body once all the ties binding the body have been loosened.
• Recite the prayers in line with Islamic teaching as the body is placed into the burial niche.
• For women specifically, it is recommended to use or spread a cloth over the grave when the body is placed into the burial pit. For men, this is not obligatory.
• Ideally, the person attending to a deceased woman should be a man who is not in a state of junub, or who did not have marital relations with his wife the night before.
• After the body has been placed in the grave, it is recommended to scatter earth three times, beginning from the direction of the head. After that, the grave can be filled with soil.
• Recite a prayer three times after the burial is complete.

Do You Understand the Law on Burying the Deceased in a Coffin?

Today, the funeral process can be much easier thanks to the presence of event organizer funeral services such as Kamboja which can assist you with professional funeral arrangement services. Still, a discussion of the law on burying the deceased in a coffin, its requirements, and the funeral procedure can add to your understanding. We hope this is helpful!

Kamboja stands by you, providing funeral protection services for you and your beloved family, offering emotional support and planning for the day when it arrives.