After my second semester of mortuary science courses, I am excited to be back blogging. One of the courses I just completed last week involved funeral rites in all religions. Since I was just tested on the funeral rites of the Moslem or Islam religion, I was a little confused as to the reference in the news of Osama bin Laden’s burial-at-sea as being “according to Islamic practice.”
There are four steps involved in a Muslim funeral. In general, most Muslims will be buried without a casket after being washed (Ghusi) and wrapped with a special covering called a Kafan. Embalming is prohibited unless civil law requires it and cremation is not usually practiced. Interestingly enough, martyrs are NOT given a Ghusi. At the cemetery, there is a special prayer called the Salaah (or Janazah Salaah) before the body is placed in the grave (Al Qabr.) The deceased is placed directly into the grave although in the United States, most Muslims are placed in a wood casket before they are brought to the cemetery. The grave is dug facing north and south so that the body can be placed with the body turned on its right side to face Qiblah (east.)
Mourning practices are different for Muslim men and married women. Most Muslims are required to mourn for 3 days except a widow, who must mourn for 4 months and 10 days and may not remarry for at least 1 year.
I can’t even begin to opine on any of the events that occurred after this man’s death so suffice it to say, I appreciate that the news of the unique funeral rites were even mentioned.
