How is a Muslim funeral service different from other funeral services?
Although there are some variations due to regional interpretations and customs, Islamic funerals follow fairly specific rites that include washing and shrouding the body, funeral prayers, and burial. Washing and shrouding the body. Upon death, a Muslim’s body is handled and washed according to a specific ritual, or ghusl. The deceased’s eyes are closed, lower jaw bound to the head, and the body covered with a white sheet. The washing, which ideally occurs within hours of death, is performed by same-sex members of the deceased’s family — the father, son, or brother of a deceased male; the mother, daughter, or sister of a deceased female. It’s generally repeated three or five times — always an odd number of repetitions. Neither the hair nor nails should be cut. The washed body is anointed with camphor, sandalwood, or other perfumes. It’s completely covered in a clean shroud, or kafan, which is usually white. Men’s bodies are shrouded in three winding sheets. Women are shrouded in five
