Islamic Funeral Guidance

Islamic funerals are based on dignity, respect, simplicity and urgency. Families are encouraged to make arrangements as soon as reasonably possible while fulfilling the required legal and practical steps.

Key steps in the Islamic funeral process

1. Confirm the death and complete required legal steps. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve medical confirmation, hospital release, registrar or coroner processes.
2. Arrange collection and transport. The deceased may need to be collected from home, hospital, hospice or another location.
3. Ghusl and shrouding. The deceased is washed and shrouded respectfully according to Islamic guidance.
4. Salaatul Janaazah. The funeral prayer may take place at a mosque or cemetery by arrangement.
5. Burial. The burial is arranged in accordance with Islamic guidance and cemetery requirements.

When Someone Dies

If someone has died and you need to arrange a funeral, Sadaqah Jariyah Funerals will guide you through every step. From the first phone call to the day of the funeral and even afterwards, the team can support you with what needs to happen next.

What is the first thing to do when someone dies?

There are different steps to follow depending on where the person has died. Whether they died at home, in hospital, in a care home, or abroad, we can guide you through each step.

When someone dies at home

1. Call the person’s doctor or NHS 111. A medical professional needs to verify the death. If the person’s doctor is not available, an on-call doctor or senior nurse may do this. A doctor will then be able to issue a medical certificate of cause of death, which is needed to register the death.
2. Call Sadaqah Jariyah Funerals. Once the death has been verified, call us. We can bring the person who has died into our care at the time required, day or night, subject to availability.
3. Register the death. You need to register the death within 5 days in England and Wales and within 8 days in Scotland. You can contact the registrar’s office local to the person who has died. Funeral arrangements can begin before the death is registered.
4. Start arranging the funeral. We will listen, guide you through the required decisions and help with practical next steps.

Unexpected deaths at home

If someone dies unexpectedly at home, the emergency services must be involved. They will contact the coroner to investigate the cause of death. The coroner may arrange for a local funeral director to collect the person who has died and take them to a hospital mortuary or suitable location. You do not have to use that funeral director for the funeral arrangements.

If the death has been reported to the coroner, you can still contact Sadaqah Jariyah Funerals to begin arrangements, even if the person who has died is currently in the care of another funeral director.

When someone dies in hospital

1. Call Sadaqah Jariyah Funerals. Once you have the medical certificate of cause of death, call us. The hospital may ask which funeral director you are using and may ask you to sign a form to confirm this.
2. Register the death. You need to register the death within 5 days in England and Wales and within 8 days in Scotland. Some hospitals may require registration before the deceased can be released into our care.
3. Start arranging the funeral. We will guide you through the practical steps, paperwork and funeral decisions.

Unexpected deaths in hospital

The hospital may need to carry out a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death. If they cannot determine the cause, the matter may be referred to the coroner or procurator fiscal. Once the required certificate and permissions are in place, we can help bring the person who has died into our care and begin funeral arrangements.

When someone dies abroad

1. Tell the relevant authorities. If you are in the UK, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. If you are abroad, contact the local British Embassy or Consulate.
2. Register the death. The death must usually be registered in the country where the person has died. The British Consul can help with this. If the person is being brought back to the UK, registration may also be needed near where the funeral will take place.
3. Bringing the person back to the UK. Repatriation usually requires a death certificate, written permission to remove the body from the country of death and, in many cases, a certificate of embalming.
4. When the person is back in the UK. The coroner may need to be informed and the death may need to be registered before the funeral can take place.
5. Start arranging the funeral. Our worldwide repatriation support can help guide families through the process. Call us on 07714 837167.

Need direct guidance?

Call 07714 837167 for practical support.