Join us for a visit, observe prayer, ask questions,
\nand experience the life of our community.<\/p><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\u201cVerily it is We Who give Life and Death; and to Us is the Final Goal\u201d<\/i> [Quran 50:43]<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is Allah Who gives you life, then gives you death; then He will gather you together for the Day of Judgment about which there is no doubt\u201d<\/i> [Quran 45:26]<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery soul shall have a taste of death in the end to Us shall ye be brought back.\u201d<\/i> [Quran 29:57]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
This page contains information on what to do when someone dies. It gives a step by step procedure and important contact and cost information.
\n<\/span>
\nThe following topics are discussed<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/h4><\/div>\n
- Will and Estate Planning<\/span><\/li>\n
- When a Person is Near Death<\/span><\/li>\n
- Role of close Family and Friends<\/span><\/li>\n
- Advance Preparation<\/span><\/li>\n
- Funeral Homes<\/span><\/li>\n
- Cemetery List<\/span><\/li>\n
- Cost of Funeral and Burial<\/span><\/li>\n
- Essentials of Funeral<\/span><\/li>\n
- Things Recommended to Avoid<\/span><\/li>\n
- Idah Period for the (Wife of deceased)<\/span><\/li>\n
- After Death<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>
2. When a person is near death:<\/h3><\/div>
\n
- Seek to pay out any outstanding debts<\/span><\/li>\n
- Ask for forgiveness from family friends and acquaintances<\/span><\/li>\n
- Assign someone as trustee to execute funeral arrangements<\/span><\/li>\n
- Assign someone as trustee to execute condition of the will<\/span><\/li>\n
- Remember Allah asking His forgiveness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
3. Role of Close Family and Friends<\/h3><\/div>
Close family and friends should try to support and comfort the dying person through supplication and remembrance of Allah.<\/p>\n
Encourage and help him or her to recite the Shahada.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
It was narrated that Mu\u00e2aadh ibn Jabal (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: \u201cIf a person\u2019s last words are Laa Ilaaha ill-Allaah, Paradise will be guaranteed for him.\u201d Narrated by Ahmad, 21529; Abu Dawood, 3116; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa\u00e2 al-Ghaleel, 687.<\/span><\/p>\n
The dying person should not be bothered with repeated requests to say Shahada if he has said it and does not say anything after that.<\/p>\n
Upon death, the eye lids are to be closed, the body should be covered, and preparation for burial takes place as soon as possible. The whole body is washed and wrapped in a shroud. Muslims gather, and a prayer is performed for the dead. The body is to be buried soon after the prayer. The wrapped body is to be laid directly at the bottom of the dug grave. The body is to be laid on its right side facing the direction of Makkah. A ceiling is attached to the grave and then covered with dirt. The grave is to be marked by raising its top level of dirt above surrounding grounds. A stone may be used to mark its location, but no writings are allowed. Buildings or other forms of structures are not allowed on top of the grave.<\/p>\n
The family of the deceased has a responsibility to fulfill any debts he had as soon as possible. They have the commitment to maintain contacts and courteous relationships with close relatives and close friends. They frequently pray and supplicate for him. Charity, fasting, prayers, and pilgrimage are often performed on behalf of the deceased. Visiting the graves is recommended for the living to remember death and the Day of Judgment.<\/p>\n<\/div>
4. Advance preparation<\/h3><\/div>
\n
- We recommend selecting ONE person (Family member or Friend) to coordinate all funeral and burial arrangements<\/span><\/li>\n
- He or she should have financial resources to pay for the costs that may require immediate payments<\/span><\/li>\n
- Obtaining a death certificate is the first step. Ask your family physician for assistance or the coroner in order to obtain a death certificate. Please keep in mind the cost of issuance of a death certificate.<\/span><\/li>\n
- If the death occurs at home, you may need to contact the local police or coroner\u2019s office.<\/span><\/li>\n
- If possible decline autopsy being done on the deceased. It should only be allowed if required by law.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Notify family and friends. You may want to consider having family members contact others to save yourself some time on the phone during a stressful period.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Look for instructions or will which the deceased may have left regarding preferences for funeral and burial arrangements.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Contact a funeral home concerning burial.<\/span>\n
\n
- Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n
- Parklawn Wood Funeral Home<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Please note that cemeteries charge premium rates to arrange for services after their normal office hours (usually burials after 3:00 pm)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Contact the local masjid where Janaza prayer will be held. Arrange for Janazah prayer time according to the time given by cemetery and or regular prayer times at the masjid<\/span><\/li>\n
- ODU Islamic Center: (757) 423-8609<\/span><\/li>\n
- CrescentCommunity Center: (757) 368-2525<\/span><\/li>\n
- Hampton Mosque: (757) 838-ISLM<\/span><\/li>\n
- Masjid William Salam: (757) 626-0734<\/span><\/li>\n
- Print directions to the cemetery. Hand out copies of directions at the masjid \/ funeral home (if the body is taken from funeral home directly to the cemetery)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
7. Basic Cost of Funeral and Burial<\/h3><\/div>
\n
- Services provided by funeral homes are:<\/span>\n
\n
- Transportation of body from the place of death to the funeral home, to the masjid and then to the cemetery. The charges could vary if they are transporting the body longer than average distances. The charges start from $3.50 per mile. Some funeral homes also have fixed additional costs for cemeteries out of their normal area of service<\/span><\/li>\n
- Storing, washing, kafan and preparing the body<\/span><\/li>\n
- Casket\/Box may be an additional cost if the body is buried in the casket<\/span><\/li>\n
- Family gathering, special viewing, or other services are usually for an extra charge<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cemetery Costs include:<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
- Cost of plot<\/span><\/li>\n
- Opening and closing of grave<\/span><\/li>\n
- Cost of vault and liner<\/span><\/li>\n
- Processing fees<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The cost of funeral and burial varies based on services requested by the family and the funeral home or cemetery. The total cost of a funeral and burial starts at $3500 and more. The cemeteries usually require one day or more notice for preparing the grave. They may charge extra for a burial after 3 pm or on a weekend or holiday.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
8. Janaza Preparations Guidelines<\/h3><\/div>
\n
- When a Muslim passes away, it is a collective obligation (Fard-e-kifaya) of that particular Muslim community to arrange and participate in the funeral services for the deceased. Though only some members of the community may fulfill this obligation on behalf of the rest, the entire community would be held to account if none did it. This is a right of a Muslim even after death.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The funeral procedure consists of four major steps:<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
- Ghusl (washing the body)<\/span>
\n<\/span>2. Kafan (wrapping the body in white shrouds)<\/span>
\n<\/span>3. Salat-ul Janazah (Funeral Prayer)<\/span>
\n<\/span>4. Dafn (Burial)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nPractices that should be avoided<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n
- No reading of the Quran or Zikr (Remembrance of<\/u> Allah) during the ghusl.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Unless necessary, funeral services are prohibited during sunrise\/sunset\/noon.<\/span><\/li>\n
- It is prohibited to build any kind of structure on top of the grave.<\/span><\/li>\n
- It is prohibited to cremate the body.<\/span><\/li>\n
- It is prohibited for non-mehrum to view the face of deceased Muslim women<\/span><\/li>\n
- Unless required by law, autopsy is prohibited and should be avoided.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Every effort should be made to bury the body as quickly as possible in a local cemetery.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
There are no Islamic teaching to:<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
- Transfer the body to another country.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Reveal the face of the body in the grave.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Shout with any special zikr during and after the burial.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Read the Quran in the cemetery.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Place any flowers or water around the grave.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Wear black clothes.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Deliver eulogies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
9. Iddah (Waiting Period) for a Muslim Widow:<\/h3><\/div>
For a Muslim woman, who has lost her husband, the iddah period is four (lunar) months and ten days. If she is pregnant, the iddah ends at the delivery. During this period it is recommended for her to stay in her home and she may leave only when it is absolutely necessary (e.g., medical or other emergency or necessary chores that need her attendance). Family and friends are to take care of the widow during this period of Iddah<\/p>\n<\/div>
10. Checklist: What To Do When a Family Member or Community Member Dies<\/h3><\/div>
It is a trial time to handle the death of a family member. Often the next of kin or friends find themselves lost asking themselves \u201cWhat do I need to do now\u201d? We have prepared a check list that will be of assistance<\/span><\/p>\n
HANDLING OF FINANCES AND ASSETS<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
- Contact the Social Security Administration and any other government agencies or benefit program that may be making payments to the deceased. (Note that the payment for the month of death will not be made by the Social Security Administration and others.)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Review the deceased\u2019s financial affairs and look for any estate planning documents, such as wills and trusts, along with any other relevant documents, including:<\/span><\/li>\n
- Funeral and Burial Plans<\/span><\/li>\n
- Bank statements, checkbooks, similar documents<\/span><\/li>\n
- Safety Deposit Box Agreements and keys<\/span><\/li>\n
- Stocks, bonds or mutual fund documents<\/span><\/li>\n
- Life Insurance Policies;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Trust documents<\/span><\/li>\n
- Pension-retirement benefits<\/span><\/li>\n
- Old tax returns<\/span><\/li>\n
- Marriage, birth and death certificates<\/span><\/li>\n
- Divorce documentation (If divorced)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Computer records regarding books of a business or personal assets<\/span><\/li>\n
- Titles to motor vehicles<\/span><\/li>\n
- Rental documents (leases)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Any documentation regarding business ownership, partnership or other business interests<\/span><\/li>\n
- Health Insurance, claims for the final illness and<\/span><\/li>\n
- Unpaid bills.<\/span><\/li>\n