How to Properly Perform Funeral Preparation (Pemulasaran) of the Deceased in Islam?

In Islamic law, funeral preparation of the deceased is an obligation for all Muslims, especially for those living near the home of the deceased. However, in some cases the deceased had an infectious disease, so additional provisions must be followed.

This is because handling a body with such a disease requires special procedures to reduce the risk of transmission. The recent COVID-19 cases are one example. Many bodies had to be buried in coffins because of fear that the virus could be passed to those who buried them.

5 Steps of Funeral Preparation in Islam

At first glance, caring for the body may seem quite simple, especially for those who have handled the deceased for many years. However, Islam has procedures and etiquette that you, as a believer, are obliged to follow. Here is a further explanation.

1. Washing the Deceased

The first step of funeral preparation in Islam is washing the deceased. Washing a person who has passed away must not be done carelessly. The stages are as follows:

1. Prepare a washing area that is quiet and enclosed, and make sure no one enters except the people assigned to wash the body.
2. Sprinkle the body with fragrance.
3. Lay the body down on a place that is somewhat elevated.
4. Wash the body while keeping the whole body covered.
5. Those washing the body should use hand coverings (when touching the area from the navel to the knees). Using hand coverings is recommended (sunnah), except for parts of the body that are not considered awrah.
6. Use the left hand when pressing the deceased's abdomen. Repeat until all the waste held in the stomach has come out.
7. When cleaning the genital area, use the left hand wrapped in cloth.
8. To clean the teeth and both nostrils of the body, use the index finger of the left hand with a cloth that has been dampened.
9. The body should be given ablution (wudhu) just as a living person would perform it.
10. Wash the body with shampoo, soapy water, or bidara leaves, from the head down to the soles of the feet.

2. Shrouding the Deceased

The final garment of a Muslim who has passed away is the burial shroud (kain kafan). Therefore, when shrouding the deceased in funeral preparation in Islam, the following rules should be observed:

• The rule is three layers of shroud for men and five layers for women.
• The best shroud color is clean white that has been given fragrance.
• It is recommended that the number of shroud cloths be more than one, in an odd number.
• Cover any open parts of the body with enough cotton that has been scented.
• Tie the buttocks of the deceased with a piece of cloth.
• Add camphor or other fragrances on top of the shroud.
• Tie the excess cloth at the ends of the head and feet (the pocong style). It is best if the head portion is longer than the other parts.
• After tying the ends at the head and feet, it is good to add ties at other parts of the body, such as the stomach and chest, so that the shroud does not come loose while the body is carried.
• Recite the special prayer after shrouding the deceased.
• The entire cost of purchasing the shroud may be paid from the wealth of the deceased, before the inheritance is distributed.

3. Performing the Funeral Prayer (Sholat Jenazah)

The funeral preparation in Islam does not end at the second point. There is a further point, namely performing the funeral prayer over the deceased.

This stage is carried out not only for deceased persons whose arrangements are handled by the family, but also when you hand over the process to a funeral arrangement service. Here is how it is done:

1. Recite the intention for the funeral prayer.
2. Perform it standing (if able).
3. Takbir, then recite Surah Al-Fatihah.
4. The second takbir, then recite salawat upon the Prophet.
5. Then, the third takbir, and recite a prayer for the deceased.
6. The fourth takbir, and recite a prayer of forgiveness for the deceased.
7. Give the salam.

4. Carrying the Body to the Burial Ground (Cemetery)

The fourth step in caring for the deceased in Islam is carrying the body to its final resting place, the cemetery. In Islam, the process of burying the deceased is regarded as an act of worship that earns a reward equal to two mountains of Uhud. The procedure is as follows:

• Do not speak about worldly matters or joke around.
• It is permitted to ride in a vehicle.
• Do not raise your voice when speaking while accompanying the body.
• All those accompanying the body should take valuable lessons from the procession.

5. Burying the Body

The final step in caring for the deceased in Islam is burial. This obligation carries the ruling of fardhu kifayah, meaning it is a collective duty. The procedure for burial is as follows:

1. It is sunnah to carry the body with tarbi' (four men carrying it).
2. The grave should be dug deep, well-made, and spacious.
3. The body should be brought in from the feet end, then moved forward toward the head.
4. The body is laid on its right side facing the qiblah. The back is then propped against the left side, right against the grave wall.
5. Place some soil beneath the cheek of the deceased.
6. For a deceased woman specifically, it is recommended to spread a cloth over the grave while the burial takes place.
7. Untie the knots of the cords binding the burial shroud.
8. It is sunnah for mourners to sit down once the body has been covered with soil.

Stages of Caring for the Deceased with a Contagious Disease in Islam

If you have just read about caring for the deceased in Islam when the body had no contagious disease, the discussion this time is different. There are several steps for handling the body of someone who had a contagious disease. The explanation follows:

1. External Measures (Outside the Room)

External measures are those carried out outside the room. Usually, the officers will take the following actions before handing the body over to the family:

1. Wash the hands thoroughly and wear gloves.
2. Wear a face shield and gown to minimize the spread of infection.
3. The body should be laid supine and straight, with the arms beside the body or folded over the chest.
4. Close the eyelids, nostrils, ears, and mouth using gauze or cotton.
5. Place a towel beneath the head. Its purpose is to catch any leakage of blood or other body fluids.
6. Seal the anus with waterproof tape or gauze.
7. If the body still has medical devices attached, the officers must remove them and place the used equipment in a secure container.
8. Clean the body and cover any wounds.
9. Once finished, the officers must remove all protective gear and dispose of it so that the disease is not spread.

2. Internal Measures (Inside the Room)

In addition to the measures outside the room, the officers will also carry out actions inside the room. These actions are as follows:

1. Wash the hands and wear gloves.
2. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) that complies with the applicable rules and standards.
3. Wash the body and wrap it in cloth in accordance with the deceased's religion.
4. Wash the hands and remove the gloves.
5. Placing the body in a designated location, and the body may not be opened again, even by the family.

Do this Funeral Preparation of the Body In Islam, According to the Applicable Sharia

In some cases, the funeral preparation of the body in Islam must be carried out by specially trained personnel, from washing and preparing the body through to body transport services. Many services can help, for example event organizers funeral services.