Burial Process

When a Muslim/Muslimah is at the point of death:

Family members can help make these last moments peaceful for the dying by being by their side, reciting La ilaha ill-Allah, Quran and Dua’ and helping them focus their thoughts on Allah (SWT).

• Position the person on their side so they are facing the Qibla, if possible.
• When the person passes, it is recommended to say “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” [Truly to God we belong and truly to Him we return ].
• Try to bury the deceased before the sun sets or as soon as possible the next day.

What to do next:

If the individual dies outside of a hospital or medical setting, please contact 911 or a physician before proceeding to the next step. Cover the body with a clean sheet.

• Contact your local masjid representative who will then contact Noor Mid-Hudson Islamic Cemetery.
• Make arrangements with a funeral home to transport the body. We recommend PAAK Funeral Home. Let the masjid know if you are planning to use a non-Muslim funeral home so they can help with washing arrangements.
• Obtain death certificate and burial permit. A burial requires both documents.
• Fill out the “Schedule Burial” form, make payment and call your cemetery representative.
• Once you coordinate a time for the Salatul Janazah prayer with your local masjid, please let the cemetery know when to expect the group. A representative will meet you at the cemetery and help with proceedings.

For more information about how a body is washed please speak with your local masjid’s Imam or read the information provided at this website:
https://www.soundvision.com/article/muslim-burials-ghusl-al-mayyah

What happens at a burial:

A cemetery representative will help coordinate the burial process.

• The deceased’s male relatives and/or friends can take part in placing the body in the grave. A woman’s mahram should place her in the grave.
• The body should be placed in the grave on its right side, closest to the wall for support, with the head towards the Qibla.
• It is recommended to throw three handfuls of soil into the grave while reciting the following:

• Shovels will be available for those who want to help fill the grave. However, the burial is completed by cemetery staff and equipment. When the burial is concluded, friends and relatives are permitted to stay as long as they like.

Special Cases:

• In the case of a stillbirth, the fetus/baby does not need to be washed. The fetus/baby is wrapped in a piece of white cloth and buried. There is no Salatul Janazah.
• A baby that dies after birth is washed, wrapped in a shroud and Salatul Janaza is performed.
• A child who has not reached puberty is washed, wrapped in a shroud and Salatul Janaza is performed.

Recommended Funeral Home:
PAAK Funeral Home
https://www.paakfuneral.com/
Tel: 718-418-7225

Local Masjids:
Masjid Al Noor, 125 All Angels Hill Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, (845) 297-0882
https://mhiawappingers.org/

Masjid Al Ikhlas, 25 Washington Terrace, Newburgh, NY 12550 (845) 561-5610
https://www.newburghmasjid.org/

Masjid Al Mutakabbir, 462 Main St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, (914) 474-8709
https://masjidmutakabbir.weebly.com/

Masjid Ar Rasheed, 352 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508
https://www.masjidbeacon.org/
Tel: 845-206-2255

Middletown Islamic Center, 169 Ryerson Road, NY 10958, (845) 374-2190
https://micny.org/