Supporting our diverse community with dignity, clarity, and respect
At life’s most sacred moments, ritual and tradition help us honour the people we love. For families within the Muslim community — and for those attending a Muslim funeral for the first time — understanding the burial process provides reassurance, confidence, and cultural sensitivity.
This guide has been developed by Kemps Creek Memorial Park to offer a respectful and easy-to-understand overview of Muslim burial rites, helping families, friends, and visitors know what to expect. Whether you are planning a funeral, supporting someone who is grieving, or learning about Islamic customs, this article aims to deepen understanding and promote compassion across our community.
The purpose of this guide
Muslim funeral practices are deeply spiritual, guided by clear religious obligations and a strong sense of community responsibility. This guide is not a religious manual, but a practical overview designed to:
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Help families understand the steps of a Muslim funeral
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Support non-Muslim visitors who may be attending for the first time
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Promote respect, cultural awareness, and dignity within our cemetery grounds
Muslim burial rites – a sacred return to the Creator
In Islam, death is understood not as an ending, but as a return to Allah. Muslim funerals are simple, dignified, and grounded in purity, humility, and accountability in the Hereafter.
A prompt and communal process
Muslims are encouraged to bury their loved ones as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. This reflects the belief that both the soul and the body benefit from a swift return to the earth.
Burial is considered a collective responsibility (fard kifayah). If a person has no family or resources, the wider Muslim community ensures the burial is completed with dignity — often at no cost to the family. This highlights the deep sense of unity and compassion central to Islamic life.
Preparation of the body (Ghusl and Kafan)
Before burial, the deceased undergoes ghusl, a ritual washing performed respectfully by members of the same gender. This purification is a sacred act, symbolising the person’s final preparation before meeting Allah.
The body is then wrapped in a simple white shroud (kafan):
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Three pieces of cloth for men
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Five for women
Cosmetics, viewing, and embalming are not part of Islamic funeral practice, as simplicity and purity are key principles.
The Funeral Prayer (Salat al-Janazah)
A special communal prayer is performed at the mosque or cemetery.
Salat al-Janazah is brief, dignified, and recited while standing.
Its purpose is to:
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Ask Allah for forgiveness and mercy for the deceased
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Unite the community in prayer
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Offer comfort and support to grieving families
Both Muslims who knew the deceased and those who did not may attend, fulfilling their religious duty to support the grieving community.
The burial
Muslim graves are oriented toward Mecca (the Qibla).
At the graveside:
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The deceased is placed gently on their right side, facing Mecca
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The ties of the shroud are loosened
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The grave is filled by mourners, often with three handfuls of soil each
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A short prayer is recited
A simple headstone is common, often featuring the Qur’anic verse:
“Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.” (Qur’an 2:156)
Elaborate monuments or displays are discouraged, as all Muslims are buried equally, regardless of status or wealth.
Beliefs about the afterlife
After burial, Islamic teaching says the soul enters barzakh, a waiting period before the Day of Judgment. Two angels visit the deceased, asking three essential questions:
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Who is your Lord?
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What is your religion?
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Who is your Prophet?
A person who lived a life of faith will find peace, light, and spaciousness in the grave.
Mourning and remembrance
How long is the mourning period?
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Immediate family mourn for three days
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A widow observes a longer period known as iddah
Families often recite Qur’anic verses and may engage in ongoing charity on behalf of the deceased (sadaqah jariyah), as good deeds continue to benefit the soul.
Prohibited practices in Islam
To maintain the sanctity of the body and the simplicity of the funeral:
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Cremation is strictly forbidden
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Embalming and cosmetic preparation are avoided
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Elaborate monuments or displays are discouraged
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Public or prolonged mourning rituals are not customary
What to expect if you’re attending a Muslim funeral
What to wear
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Men – Long trousers and sleeves
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Women – Long sleeves, ankle-length skirt or pants, and a headscarf
Modesty is essential.
What to bring
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Do not bring flowers or food
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Phones should be turned off
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Bring quiet respect and presence
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Participation
Non-Muslims may attend but usually observe silently.
Men may join the funeral prayer; women may watch from a designated area depending on community custom.
Offering condolences
A simple and respectful phrase is:
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”
(“We belong to God and to Him we return.”)
Allow the bereaved to initiate physical contact such as handshakes or hugs.
Steps at a glance – Muslim Funeral
1. Preparation
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Ghusl (ritual washing)
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Shrouding in plain white cloth
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No embalming, cosmetics, or viewing
2. Funeral Prayer
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Salat al-Janazah at mosque or cemetery
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Community stands together in prayer
3. Burial
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Grave aligned toward Mecca
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Body placed on right side
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Soil placed by mourners
4. Mourning & remembrance
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Three-day mourning period
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Recitation of Qur’an
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Charity in the name of the deceased
Muslim burial at Kemps Creek Memorial Park
Kemps Creek Memorial Park is proud to support the diverse Muslim community of Western Sydney. Our Muslim burial lawns are designed in accordance with Islamic guidelines, offering:
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Graves aligned to face Mecca
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Simple, dignified burial spaces
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Rapid burial availability
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Respectful, culturally informed staff
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Quiet, beautifully maintained grounds for prayer and reflection
We work closely with families, imams, and community organisations to ensure every burial is carried out with honour, promptness, and sensitivity.
