Mirath - The Laws of Islamic Inheritance

SHROUDING AND BURIAL
Isl\m stipulates a burial procedure that is to be applied to every
Muslim, wherever they are in the world. This procedure may be costly
in certain places. e.g. in England when a person is to be buried, the
land for the grave has to be bought, which, can cost hundreds of
pounds. The cost of these are to be paid for from the deceased’s own
wealth. If, however, someone, e.g. a friend or an heir wishes to pay for
it from their own wealth then this is permitted, although it should not
be thought of as a duty by anyone or imposed upon anyone.
When purchasing the necessary items for burial one must not go to the
extremes of being extravagant or miserly. The Isl\mic requirement is
three plain (cotton) sheets for a man and five for a woman. These
should be of acceptable quality and size, neither being too expensive
nor too substandard. Also, if it is necessary to use a coffin, (e.g. it
becomes law or any other reason) then a simple wooden box must be
used instead of the wasteful coffins that sell for thousands of pounds.
If a deceased person was poor and the cost of these cannot be fully met
from their own wealth, then it is the person’s children’s duty to get
together and contribute towards it. If not (for whatever reason) then
the father, if not (again for whatever reason) then the deceased’s
brothers. If not then the next closest relatives. Lastly if for whatever
reason there is no one to pay for these costs then (originally it was
permitted for the money to be taken from the Muslim Treasury, but
since this does not apply) it can be received as %adaqah.
Please note that in the UK one can get a funeral payment grant from
one’s local social security office (ask for leaflet SB-16, which is only
available if the deceased’s estate did not contain enough for burial
procedures). This should only be resorted to if the responsible heirs
(mentioned above) cannot or refuse to pay the costs.
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