Anyone here know what a traditional Muslim funeral is supposed to be?

[Taverner]

As in, do they traditionally have a body present, the grave, or is it more of a memorial service?

I know in Islam you don't cremate...you have to bury (facing Mecca, right?)

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. Good question

and I also wonder if, like those in the Jewish faith, it has to be before sundown the next day? I've never been to a Muslim funeral. I have a few black Muslim friends/colleagues, but none have passed away.

[Nimrod2005]

4. Yes, must be buried before sunset...I think it is preferable to do it

on the same day before sunset. Ideally, it would be right after midday prayers, at around noon time, I think.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

6. A very sensible custom, I would say.

[Nimrod2005]

2. Right and no box either, a simple sheet to roll the body in and must

be touching dirt once in the hole in the ground. The faster the worms get to it the better.

[Warpy]

3. The body is buried before sundown that day or the following day

if the death is at night. There is a procession with coffin held aloft. There's a lot of milling around and hysteria by those grieving the loss. Orderly ranks would be an extreme departure from the norm. Instead of being in ranks and so close to a grave that it is invisible in the photo, rendering it impossible for anyone at either end or the back to see, they'd more likely be circled around it.

This photo shows orderly ranks of figures, 5 rows, a figure in front of them, and a truck behind that figure.

It looks more like reviewing the troops.

[Nimrod2005]

5. Photo?

[Warpy]

8. Here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/17/wafg17.xml

[lonestarnot]

7. They're dead, why should I care?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1396271232701024595&q=diebold&hl=en

[TallahasseeGrannie]

12. why care about anything?

live for today

[etherealtruth]

9. I have been to many "prayer vigils" following the death of a loved one

... however, as was the custom of the bereaved, I (as a women) was never permitted to attend the actual grave side.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

10. I can see the advantages to that

I've never had good experiences at grave sides. I handle the funeral home quite well, but that hole in the ground is pretty damned graphic.

Now on TV I do see women in processions TO the graveyard, right? Are the services first at the mosque, or is the facility left out of the custom all together?

In my church funerals were always in the church, proper, but more and more folks are eliminating that step. Might be because the funeral director charges exhorbitant prices to get the body there and back.

[etherealtruth]

11. I believe Islam is interpretted culturally ...

... the custom of women at (or forbidden from) the graveside varies upon indiviual and cultural interpretation.

Check out the info at the link ... it gives a pretty good thumb nail sketch



http://islam.about.com/cs/elderly/a/funerals.htm
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 or public square, not 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. (For example, there is no bowing or prostration, and the entire prayer is said silently but for a few words.)


Burial
The deceased is then taken to the cemetery for burial (al-dafin). While all 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 require 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 or her right side, facing Mecca. At the gravesite, it is discouraged for people to erect tombstones, elaborate markers, or put flowers or other momentos. Rather, one should humbly remember Allah and His mercy, and pray for the deceased.

[etherealtruth]

14. Here's an other blurb

Death
Death is seen as progression from one stage of life to another, passing into the after-life until the Day of Judgement, when individuals will either be given places in Heaven or in Hell. Everyone will be accountable for their intentions and actions; good intentions will be rewarded. When a Muslim dies, prayers are said for the deceased. Arrangements are made for washing the body and preparing it for burial. A shroud of white cloth is wrapped around the body before burial. The funeral prayer or \Janaza' is usually held at the graveyard, and it is customary for men to attend the burial. Muslims are always buried with the deceased's face preferably towards the direction of the 'Kaaba' in Mecca. Some people return their dead relatives to their country of origin for burial but this is nothing to do with religious requirements.

Note: " ... and it is customary for men to attend the burial."


http://www.prescap.co.uk/Faith%20Forum%20website%2016,3,05/islam.htm

[TallahasseeGrannie]

15. An interesting parallell in my life

was in the 1970's my sister had a stillborn baby. It was a heartbreaking time because this was her third child and he was much anticipated by the other children and it was totally unexpected. For some reason, none of the women in the family (me, my mother and another sister) attended the funeral. We stayed with my sister in the hospital and the men took the casket in their car and dug the grave themselves. The priest was, in those days, always male.

Odd, now that I think of it.

[etherealtruth]

16. Sometimes it is better to tend to the living

The funereal customs of (my now EX-)husband's family were so different than what I had experienced in life prior to my marriage to him.

Not that I am hyper-focused on death ( we were young , I was a hospice nurse at the time), I insisted that my "ex" clarify with his family that I (a woman) would be at the grave side for his burial if he were to pre-decease me. His parents were very accepting and receptive but were very uneasy about the possible reaction by rest of the community.

Turned out OK ... the only thing to die was our marriage.

[riderinthestorm]

17. Why aren't women allowed at the grave?

That seems wierd. Is it just the funerals of men that disallow women, or can a woman go to her mother's funeral for example?

I can't imagine women being left out of any part of the process for their child, or a parent or spouse... surely that can't be possible can it??

[TallahasseeGrannie]

19. I am under the impression

that the only part they are left out of is the actual burial.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

[Opusnone]

21. Woman ARE allowed

I have attended several, and women are there at the prayers and the actual burial, though they do not wield shovels.

[etherealtruth]

24. As I stated above that is a matter of ...

... cultural interpretation of Islam. MANY interpretations forbid women at the grave site during burial.

[etherealtruth]

23. I really don't know ...

As with so many things religious, it is difficult to parse through what is based on Islam and what is cultural (a mix of the two).

I was married to a man that was from a "culture" where women held a very subordinate position. During the time of our marriage my former spouse did not claim to have these attitudes (in the end he really did) but his extended family rigidly adhered to these customs.

I can find no explanation for this practice, but I find many sources that state that a good Muslim woman does NOT attend funerals

http://www.nagpuronline.com/people/rit_mslm.html

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/humanrelations/womeninislam/idealmuslimah/Conclusion.html
"... She mixes with righteous women. She hastens to reconcile between Muslim women. She mixes with women and puts up with their insults. She appreciates favours and is grateful for them. She visits the sick. She does not attend funerals..."

[mmonk]

13. According to our military command......

bombed.

[cynatnite]

18. I believe only men are allowed to attend...

It must be before sunset and faces Mecca.

[ShortnFiery]

20. I think we're still wanting of some In-House Scholars ...

No disrespect intended - but there's still a great deal of second guessing here. :shrug:

[etherealtruth]

25. That has been my experience ...

Though I know that this does nOT hold true for Muslims in Europe and Eurasia

[Ravenseye]

22. Ok I might miss something but

Though I'm personally an agnostic, half my family is muslim...

The body is thoroughly washed and must be clean. There are basic rules, but it comes down to just washing the body really really well. No embalming at all. Then it's shrouded in cloth made of three pieces, which can have been picked out by the person before they die.

Then the body is taken to the funeral prayers. Usually held outdoors, not inside the mosque. The Imam usually stands in front facing away from everyone else. It's simliar to the daily prayers, but without the prostration and bowing.

Then the body is buried in a grave specifically dug for the deceased. Usually only Men attend the actual burial. Other than that it varies. It can be in a straight pit, or an angled one, or on stone, or in a coffin, or not. It's dependant on culture more than religion at that point, but usually involves the face of the deceased facing mecca.

Generally a mausaleaum is never built, nor any kind of ostentatious gravestones. Muslims are always buried though, never cremated.

It's all general though. The more strict a muslim the family is, the more likely all this is followed and more. The more moderate or progressive the more likely there are to be variations.

Key ingredients though are no embalmning, no cremation, bath, shroud, funeral prayers, buried facing mecca.

[etherealtruth]

26. That's my understanding and experience ...

Did women in your family attend the burial?

[Ravenseye]

27. No

The women in my family are very progressive, but normally won't attend the burial itself. I don't think they see the actual 'put the body in the ground' aspect of it as important as being with family at the house afterwards. I asked my aunt (an architect, very progressive) why she didn't want to go and she said very bluntly "Why would I want to?" I think she felt that aspect was kind of morbid or something.

Dunno.