Funeral Services Contact Details
(Appendix 1)
NEW SOUTH WALES
LMA Funeral Services
Address: 71 Wangee Rd, Lakemba NSW 2195 Phone: (02) 9759 5949
Australian Muslim Janaza Association
Address: 4A / 2- 4 Stout Rd, Mount Druitt NSW 2770 Phone: (02) 9675 6573
Mobile: 0452 629 244 or 0421 552 820 or 0414 960 141
Email: info@muslimjanaza.org.au
Auburn Gallipoli Mosque
Address: 15-19 Gelibolu Pde, Auburn NSW 2144 Phone: (02) 9646 5972
Email: info@gallipolimosque.org.au
The Garden Cemetery
Address: Unit 3/4 Brunker Road, Chullora NSW 2190 Phone: 1300 944 547
Website: www.thegarden.org.au
QUEENSLAND
Brisbane Muslim Burial Services
Phone: 0412 845 786
Muslim Funeral Services Ltd (MFS)
Address: Kuraby Mosque, 1408 Beenleigh Rd, Kuraby QLD 4112 Phone: (07) 5462 2155 (Office hrs) / 1300 896 786 (24 hr)
Mobile: 0412 845 786 / 0404 834 786
Email: admin@mfs.asn.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Al-Khalil Mosque Islamic Arabic Centre
Address: Corner of Torrens Rd & Audley St, Woodville North SA 5012 Phone: (08) 8268 1944 or (08) 8268 3735
Email: ethscharabic@hotmail.com Email: alkhalil-Masjid@com.au
VICTORIA
Australian Islamic Funeral Services
Address: 45 King St, Broad Meadows VIC 3047 Phone: Mosque (03) 9359 0054
Phone: (03) 9305 2672 or Mobile: 0401 440 714 - Br. Mehmet Atasever
Mobile: 0413 815 345 - Br. Ramazan
Islamic Society of Geelong Inc
Address: 45-47 Bostock Ave, Manifold Heights VIC 3218 Phone: (03) 5275 2161 - Br. Safa
Mobile: 0425 754 379 - Br. Mansoor
Phone: (03) 5224 2422 - Imam Masjid Abdo
Islamic Society of Victoria
Address: 90 Cramer St, Preston VIC 3072 Ph: (03) 9470 2424 (Mosque)
Mobile: 0417 889 956 - Br. Abu Ramzi
Phone: (03) 9470 2424 - Br. Abu Mustafa Tartusi
ISOMER Janaza Services
Address: Lot 37 Wellington Rd, Lysterfield VIC 3156 Phone: (03) 9752 7248 - Br. Mortada
Phone: (03) 9848 2863 or Mobile: 0413 454 987 - Br. Mohamed Ezzat
Mobile: 0409 976 589 - Br. Barakat
United Muslims Migrant Association Inc. (UMMA)
Address: 72 George St, Doncaster East VIC 3109 Phone: (03) 9842 6491
Mobile: 0413 454 987 - Br Mohammed Ezzat
Phone: (03) 9842 6491 - Imam Sheik Gul Saeed Shah Email: funeral@umma.org.au
Islamic Society Of Victoria; Preston Masjid
Address: 90 Cramer St, Preston, Victoria VIC 3072
Phone: (03) 9470 2424
Mobile: 0417 88 99 56
Email: info@isv.org.au
Islamic Education and Welfare Association of Dandenong VIC
Address: 131-133 Belgrave-Hallam Rd, Narre Warren North VIC 3804
Phone: (03) 9796 8539
Email: info@iewad.org.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Burial Services WA
Phone: (08) 9249 3802 or Mobile: 0401 833 530 - Adiel Franke
Phone: (08) 9276 9079 - Ismail Attia
Phone: (08) 9418 5238 or Mobile: 0413 834 154 - Ismail Fredericks
Perth Mosque (Burial Service)
Address: 427-429 William St, Perth WA 6000 Phone: (08) 9328 8535
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Christmas Island Burial Services
Address: I.A.Christmas & Cocos Island, Christmas Island
Phone: (08) 9268 4548 - Mohammad R Adeley
Muslim Graveyards in Australia
(Appendix 2)
NEW SOUTH WALES
Muslim Cemetery Trust Rookwood
To arrange burial & other urgent requests please call 1300 854 628 Any other inquiries please use the following contact information.
Phone: 02 9763 2955
Email: info@mctrookwood.org.au
Postal: PO Box 6051, Lakemba NSW 2195
Castle Hill Cemetery
Address: Tuckwell Rd near Ashmead Ave, Castle Hill
Phone: 02 9843 0126
Riverstone Cemetery
Address: 62 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown NSW 2148
Phone: 02 9839 6000
Email: council@blacktown.nsw.gov.au
‘An-Nur’ Islamic Cemetery & Burial Ground Lebanese Muslim Association
Address: 84 Wangee Rd, Lakemba NSW 2195 Postal address: P.O.box 297 Lakemba NSW 2195
Phone: (02) 9750 6833
Email: info@lma.org.au
QUEENSLAND
Mount Gravatt Cemetery and Crematorium
Address: 582 Mains Rd, Macgregor
Phone: (07) 3403 7765
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Cemeteries Authority
Address: Enfield Memorial Park, Browning St, Clearview SA 5085
Phone: (08) 8139 7400
VICTORIA
Fawkner Memorial Park
Address: 1187 Sydney Rd, Fawkner VIC 3060
Phone: (03) 9355 3100
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Broome Cemetery
Address: Frederick St, Cable Beach WA
Phone: (08) 9191 3456
Guildford Cemetery
Address: Kalamunda Rd, South Guildford WA
Phone: 1300 793 109
Checklist for Washing & Shrouding the Deceased
(Appendix 3)
1. 5 pieces of clean sheets, preferably white material, cut into the required lengths (see below “Shrouding”).
2. Approximately 14 metres of material required.
3. 5 wraps for a woman.
4. 3 wraps for a man.
5. 3 thin strips of cotton for tying the shroud. One long enough to go round the middle of the body and two shorter ones to secure the ends of the shroud.
6. 2 pieces of thicker material of any dark colour to cover the body while washing - towelling material is recommended. Each sheet should be at least one metre squared.
7. 2 large clean towels for drying the body. These should preferably not be new, as towels that have been washed absorb moisture better.
8. 2 pairs of strong rubber gloves.
9. A box of disposable surgical gloves.
10. Cotton wool and Shampoo.
11. Soap and liquid soap in a dispenser.
12. Nail polish remover, if required.
13. 2 pairs of scissors and Masking tape.
14. Camphor and a non alcoholic form of perfume.
15. Bin bags for disposing of rubbish and for taking soiled material and towels to be washed.
16. Jug and a large bucket.
The Method of Washing
• It is recommended that at least four people be present to help bathe and carry the body (6 ladies in the case of a female death)
• Washing will normally take place at the undertaker’s premises, or at the Masjid where facilities are available.
• The Imam of the Masjid or experienced washing staff will usually be available to guide the washing and shrouding (Kafn) of the deceased.
• Only women should wash female bodies and men should wash male bodies. It is allowed for a wife to wash the body of her husband and vice versa. A woman may also wash the body of a young (minor) boy.
• A woman may not wash a dead body if she has menstrual bleeding or bleeding after the birth of a child, as washing the body is considered an act of worship. She may however, assist the washer without touching the body or observe for the benefit of learning.
• The dead body should be handled very gently. Hard rubbing must be avoided.
• The people who are performing the washing must be in the state of Wudhu.
• During Ghusl, it is permissible to place the body in one of the following two positions:
1. Having the legs facing the Qiblah
2. Having the right shoulder and side towards the Qiblah
• Everyone should be wearing rubber gloves or disposable gloves.
• The washer should utter his/her intention to wash the body mentioning the name of the person.
• All those assisting should help to lift the body carefully and gently onto the washing table. At the same time someone should hold the head and the feet.
• All present should keep reciting:
ALLĀHUM-MAGHFIR LAHŪ (FOR MALE)
O Allah forgive him or her.
ALLĀHUM-MAGHFIR LAHĀ (FOR FEMALE)
O Allah forgive her.
• One person should hold the head of the deceased firmly but gently from each side for the rest of the process. This is to avoid the possibility of breaking the neck (this job should be given to a relative who may not feel confident to assist in the washing).
• The washer should begin covering the body from the neck to the ankles with one of the thick sheets.
• Four people should hold the sheet slightly raised from the body, in order to allow the washer and his/her assistants to work unhampered.
• Intravenous drips, catheters etc. should be removed. If the tubes cannot be fully removed, then cut as near to the skin as possible. This is likely to cause bleeding, so place a small pad of cotton wool over the wound or tube and secure it with masking tape. Also remove any dentures.
• Remove any nail polish with cotton wool and nail polish remover.
• Cut away any hospital clothes and discard.
• Make sure all the equipment is ready and that the water in the shower is warm. If using a jug, mix the water to the correct temperature in
a large bucket.
• The person washing should then press the stomach of the deceased firmly but gently and clean the excreta with wet cotton wool.
• If the person died recently, the head and shoulders can be slightly raised while the stomach is pressed to assist the evacuation of any waste materials. However extreme caution should be taken, especially in the cases of death during childbirth or during an operation, as this can cause excessive bleeding from the mouth. If the body has been in cold storage, then there is no point in carrying out this procedure.
• The body should then be tilted to the left side and the area of the back passage should be similarly cleaned with flowing water.
• The washer should perform Wudhu (abultion) for the deceased, i.e. wash the hands and arms, three times starting with the right. Then wash the face 3 times, then wipe over the hair from the forehead backwards. Then finish by washing the right foot to the ankle and then the left foot to the ankle. The mouth and nose are washed three times, only if the deceased was in a state of ritual impurity that would have obliged them to make ghusl (ritual bath) before praying. (i.e. if the deceased was menstruating)
• This can be done with small pieces of wet cotton wool which are then discarded.
• At this point, it is a good idea to place thick pads of clean dry wool over the eyes, mouth, ears and nose. This is to prevent excess water running in during the main washing.
• Next, wash the hair with water and shampoo. According to the Sunnah, for females if the hair is braided it should be undone, washed and then parted into half and brought forward to the front. If a headrest is available this should be used during the washing of the hair. Otherwise two people can support the shoulders.
• It is advisable to wash the neck at the same time, this is to limit the number of times the body is moved.
• The washer should soap and wash the front of the body (excess movement should be avoided throughout the process).
• This should be done quickly without staring at any exposed part of the body. Always ensure that the water is flowing away from the body and is not accumulating underneath it at any point.
• The body should be tilted to the left to soap and wash the right side of the back, and then tilted to the right to soap and wash the left side of the back.
• While tilting the body, again check for any discharge of excretion, wash the area thoroughly with plenty of water if any is found.
• If there are any tubes or wounds that have been covered with cotton wool, remove the soiled cotton wool, wash the area quickly and tape a fresh pad over the wound.
• The whole body should then be rinsed with clear, warm water leaving no trace of impurities or soap.
• The body should be rinsed an odd number of times, the preference being given to three, five or seven according to the Sunnah. There is no harm if members of the family wish to help with the rinsing.
• The last rinse should be using camphor which may be dissolved in warm water in a bucket.
• The body should then be dried. One towel should be draped around the head in order to dry the hair. The second towel should be used to dry the body on the front sides. At the same time, the wet sheet should be removed and a clean, dry sheet should be placed over the body. All this should be done without exposing the private parts of the body. For example, two people should hold the wet sheet slightly raised from the body, the towel is then used to dry the body. As the towel is taken down the body, two more people follow with the rolled up dry sheet, gradually enfolding it as they go.
• The body is tilted to the left side and the towel is placed underneath and tucked as far under as possible. The body is then tilted to the right side and the towel drawn through. It is useful at this point for someone to quickly wipe the table with paper towels to take up the excess moisture (this only applies when the table is not equipped
with straps or rollers, which raise the body slightly from the surface).
• Finally, the body should be perfumed an odd number of times, preferably three according to the Sunnah. A non-alcoholic form of perfume should be used. Camphor can be put on the body.
• The table is then wheeled next to the coffin which should be on a table of similar height. The shroud should already be laid out in the correct order in the coffin as mentioned in the following sections.
• Then everyone present should help to lift the body gently and carefully as possible into the coffin. One person still remains holding the head and another should be at the feet. Then several people stand on the far side of the coffin to receive the body and several next to the table to lift the body. The body is carefully raised and passed over, and then lowered into the coffin.
• The towel underneath should be kept in place until the body is in the coffin. The body should be tilted to the side, rolling the towel up and then sliding it out.
• The body is then shrouded as described in the method for shrouding.
Taking a Shower after Bathing the Deceased
For a person who bathes the body of the deceased, it is desirable (Mustahab) that he/she themselves take a bath once this process is over according to a narration from the blessed Companion, Abu Hurayrah (ra) The Holy Prophet (saw) said:
“The person who bathes the deceased should himself take a bath”. [Ibn Majah]
Purchasing the Shroud
A shroud should be of good quality but not extravagantly expensive. It is not permitted for a man or woman to be buried in a silk shroud as this is extravagance. The shroud or its price should come from the wealth
of the deceased, even if that is the only wealth he or she has. If there is no money the responsibility then falls on the guardian, then the public treasury, and then the individual Muslims of the family in the order of closeness to the deceased.
NOTE: This is usually provided by the funeral service as part of the funeral costs.
Preferable Practices in Shrouding
The shroud should be pleasant, clean and large enough to cover the entire body. Twenty metres of material will be needed for the shroud as some wraps need to be doubled in width to make them wide enough for wrapping.
A shroud should be white, as this was the practice of our beloved Prophet (saw) and should be scented and perfumed. The shroud should be 3 wraps for a man and 5 wraps for a woman.
Woman’s Shroud
1. Material: Lifafah - Outer sheet (Length 2.4m by Width 1.5m)
2. Material: Sina’band (Chest wrap) (Length 2.1m by Width 1.5m)
3. Material: Izar / Loin Cloth (Length 2.1m by Width 1.5m)
4. Material: Qamis / Kurta or Shirt (Length 1.5m by Width 1.2/1.5m)
Fold in half and from the centre, make a T shaped cut for the neck front region without sleeves.
5. Material: Orhni / Scarf (Length 1.2m by Width 0.6m)
6. 3 x strips of cotton material for keeping the shroud in place
Men’s Shroud
(sizes same as above) It has a:
1. Lifafah outer sheet
2. Qamis / Shirt
3. Izar / loin cloth
NOTE: If a pilgrim dies, he is to be washed in the same way any non- pilgrim is washed, but he should be shrouded in his Ihram. His head should not be covered, nor should any perfume be applied to his body, because the restrictions of Ihram still apply to him.
HOW TO LAY THE DEAD IN THE KAFN (SHROUD)
The method of shrouding
1. Place three thin strips of cotton material for tying the shroud tape them outside the coffin to keep them in position. The stripes must be placed - one near the head, one in the middle and one near the feet.
2. Spread the Lifafah outer sheet in the coffin.
3. Spread the Sina’band / chest piece from the shoulder position.
4. Spread Izar from the feet and upwards.
5. Spread the back of the Qamis / shirt and roll up the front, keeping it near head end (From neck down to feet).
6. Leave the Orhni / scarf on one side which will be put on last.
Order of Male Kafn
1. Qamis
2. Izar
3. Lifafah
Order of Female Kafn
1. Orhni (not shown)
2. Qamis
3. Izar
4. Sina’band
5. Lifafah
How Qamis should be Cut and Folded
How the Kafn should be put on
1. Lower the body gently on to the Kafn / shroud. Cover the top part of the body up to the calves with the folded portion of Qamis.
2. Remove the sheet used for covering the body.
3. Rub camphor mixture on places of Sajdah: forehead, nose, both palms, knees and forefeet.
4. The hair should be divided into 2 parts and put onto the right and left shoulder over Qamis.
5. Cover the head and hair with Orhni/scarf. Do not fasten, but tuck in properly.
6. Fold the Izar the left flap first and then the right over the Qamis and scarf.
7. Now close the Sina’band (chest cover) in the same manner as above.
8. Close the Lifafah: the left flap first then the right.
9. Lastly fasten the ends of the Lifafah at the head-side, then the
feet and then around the middle with the strips of cloth. This is to keep the complete Kafn in place.
Prohibited Articles in the Kafn
1. It is prohibited to enclose any charter, verses of the Holy Qur’an or any Du`a in the Kafn.
2. It is forbidden to write the Shahadah, or any other Du`a on the Kafn or chest of the dead person.
What to do after the Kafn
With the completion of the washing and the Kafn, the deceased person is ready for the burial. The Janazah Salaah (funeral prayer) should be arranged without delay.
Rasulullah (saw) has said, “If a person passes away, hasten him to his grave and do not keep him away”. The Janazah Salaah must be arranged quickly and the deceased should be buried in the nearest Muslim graveyard (cemetery).
To transport the body over long distances is undesirable. It is also Makruh to delay the Janazah Salaah and wait for the late comers to increase the congregation.
IMPORTANT
It is ONLY permissible for the Mahram woman folk of the deceased male to see his face. They are his wife, mother, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, daughters and granddaughters. The Shariah does not allow any other woman to view the face of the deceased male. Similarly only the Mahram males should view the face of the deceased female.
In both cases of the male and female deceased, the face of the dead person should not be kept open after the Kafn is put on. The Quran may be recited next to the body before the Janazah is carried away.
How the Kabr (Grave) Should be Filled & Shaped
(Appendix 4)
1. It is Mustahab to begin closing the recess or trench from the leg
side for males and from the head side for females. All the remaining little openings should be closed with mud or grass. The use of any fabric or blankets is unnecessary and wasteful. All those present should participate to fill the kabr with at least three handfuls of soil. When throwing the first handful in the grave recite:
MINHĀ KHALAQ NĀKUM
From the earth did We create you.
During the second handful:
WA FIHĀ NU’IDUKUM
and into it shall We return you.
At the time of the third handful:
WA MINHĀ NUKHRIJUKUM TĀRATAN UKHRĀ
and from it shall We bring you out once again.
2. It is Makruh to add more soil to the kabr than that which was dug out from it.
3. The shape of the kabr when filled should be like the hump of a camel. The height should be approximately 25 to 30 cm. It should not be made square or into any other shape. All types of buildings and enclosures on or around the kabr are not permissible. Buildings on the kabr have been emphatically denounced in the hadith of Rasulullah (saw).
4. a) THE LAHD: Where the ground and sides of the Kabr are firm, then a recess should be dug on the Qiblah side to allow placing the body in the recess. Unbaked bricks should preferably be used to close the recess, and made to fit neatly.
Section and View of LAHD Type Kabr
b) THE SHIQ: Where the soft nature of the ground does not allow a Lahd to be made, then a shallow trench should be dug in the centre at the bottom of the Kabr to allow the body to be placed in this trench. Timber may be used to cover this. The use of any fabrics, blankets etc, is undesirable and wasteful. The bamboo or planks must be cut to size and set to fit properly in the grave before burial, to avoid last minute inconvenience.
Section and View of SHIQ Type Kabr
NOTE: It is Makruh (undesirable) to dig out and prepare one’s own grave during one’s lifetime.
5. It is Mustahab to sprinkle water on the grave from the head to the leg side thrice after the kabr has been shaped.
6. It has been related by Uthman (ra) that after Rasulullah (saw) buried the dead, he paused and said, “Beseech forgiveness from Allah (swt) for your brother and make Du`a for his steadfastness because he is going to be questioned now by Munkar and Nakeer.”
7. After the burial the first part of Suratul Baqarah should be recited at the head side of the Kabr, and the last part of Suratul Baqarah should be recited to the leg side:-
BISMILLĀHIR-RAHMĀNIR-RAHIM
ALIF LĀM MĀM. DHĀLIKAL-KITABU LĀ RAYBA FIH. HUDAL-LIL MUTTAQIN
AL-LADHINA YU’MINŪNA BIL-GHAYBI WA YUQIMŪNAS-SALĀTA WA MIM-MĀ RAZAQNĀHUM YUNFIQŪN.
WAL-LADHINA YU’MINŪNA BIMĀ UNZILA ILAYKA WA MĀ UNZILA MIN QABLIKA WA BIL ĀKHIRATI HUM YŪ QINŪN. ULĀ’IKA `ALĀ HUDAM-MIR-RABBIHIM WA ULĀ’IKA HUMUL- MUFLIHŪN
In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful.
Alif-Lam-Mim. This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun
Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salat, and spend out of what We have provided for them
And who believe in (the Qur’an and the Sunnah) which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad (saw)) and in that which were sent down before you (the Tawrat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospel)) and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.
[Al Baqarah 1,5]
ĀMANAR-RASŪLU BIMĀ UNZILA ILAYHI MIR-RABBIHI WAL MU’MINŪN. KULLUN ĀMANA BILLĀHI WAMALĀ’IKATIHĀ WA KUTUBIHI WA RUSULIH. LĀ NUFARRIQU BAYNA AHADIM MIR RUSULIH.
WA QĀLŪ SAMI`NĀ WA AṬA`NĀ GHUFRĀNAKA RABBANĀ WA ILAYKAL MASIR.
LĀ YUKALLIFUL-LĀHU NAFSAN ILLĀ WUS`AHĀ. LAHĀ MĀ KASABAT WA `ALAYHĀ MAKTASABAT.
RABBANĀ LĀ TU’ĀKHIDHNĀ IN-NASINĀ AW AKHṬA’NĀ RABBANĀ WA LĀ TAHMIL `ALAYNĀ ISRAN KA MĀ HAMALTAHŪ `ALAL- LADHINA MIN QABLINĀ RABBANĀ WA LĀ TUHAMMILNĀ MĀ LĀ ṬĀQATALANĀ BIH. WA`FU `ANNĀ WAGHFIR LANĀ WARHAMNĀ ANTA MAWLĀNĀ FANSURNĀ `ALAL-QAWMIL-KĀFIRIN
The Messenger (saw) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say, “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” - and they say, “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).”
Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. “Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us; our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maula (Patron, Supporter and Protector, etc.) and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
[Al Baqarah 285,286]
Assistance from Australian Government Departments
(Appendix 5)
For those that are eligible the Australian Government provides payments and services to help after the death of a loved one. At time of printing these included:
Bereavement Allowance - Bereavement Allowance is a short-term income- support payment we pay to recently widowed people to help them adjust after the death of their partner.
Bereavement Payment - Bereavement Payment helps ease your adjustment to changed financial circumstances after the death of your partner, child or person you were caring for.
Double Orphan Pension - Double Orphan Pension provides help with the costs of caring for children who are orphans or who are unable to be cared for by their parents in certain circumstances. There is no income or assets test required.
Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment - Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment is a payment to the surviving partner of a deceased member of the Pension Bonus Scheme, who did not make a successful claim for the bonus before his or her death.
Widow Allowance - Widow Allowance ensures that women have an adequate income if they have become widowed, divorced or separated later in life.
This applies to those were born on or before 1 July 1955 and have no recent workforce experience.
Social Work Services - Social workers can help you during difficult times by providing confidential counselling, support, and information.
Financial Information Service - The Financial Information Service (FIS) is a free, confidential service available to all Australians. The Financial Information Service helps people make informed decisions about investment and financial issues for their current and future needs.
For more information visit www.humanservices.gov.au or your local Centerlink office.