When a Muslim Relative Dies

In the first hours

1. Confirm the death and obtain certification. A doctor, hospital, or coroner must certify it; you will need the death certificate for everything that follows.
2. Gently close the eyes and cover the body with a clean sheet, and make duʿāʾ for the deceased. Those present say innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn.
3. Contact a mosque or Muslim funeral service. Islamic burial is prompt — usually within 24 hours — so call early. They will guide ghusl, kafan, and the janāzah prayer.
4. Inform close family and begin arranging the ghusl (washing) and burial plot.

The Islamic funeral (in order)

• Ghusl — washing the body, performed by same-gender family or trained washers.
• Kafan — shrouding in simple white cloth.
• Ṣalāt al-Janāzah — the funeral prayer, a communal obligation (farḍ kifāya).
• Burial — without delay, the body laid on its right side facing the qibla. Islam discourages extravagance.

Funeral cost estimator

Muslim funerals are usually simpler and cheaper than the regional average, but costs still add up — and they are the first charge on the estate, paid before debts and inheritance. Adjust the figures for your area:

Settling the estate — the order that matters

Once the burial is done and you have the death certificate, the estate is dealt with in a fixed order. Nothing is divided among heirs until the first three are settled:

1. Funeral & burial costs.
2. Debts — to people (loans, unpaid dowry) and to Allah (unpaid zakāh).
3. Bequest (waṣiyya) — any valid bequest, up to one-third.
4. Inheritance (mīrāth) — the remainder, divided by the fixed Sharʿī shares.

You may also need to deal with probate, notify banks and pension providers, and locate any will. When you reach step 4, the inheritance calculator will tell you exactly how the remaining estate divides among the heirs.