Muslim funeral services iscn - Islamic Society of Corona-Norco...ISCN funeral committee representative shall advise the bereaved family members with all the necessary step needed and

MUSLIM FUNERAL SERVICES

ISCN Standard Operating Procedures – Rev B

The document provides the guidance regarding the Muslims Funeral Services – procedures and protocols at Islamic Society of Corona Norco.

465 Santana Way, Corona CA 92881

coronamuslims.com

https://www.coronamuslims.com/


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ISCN Standard Operating Procedure – Muslim Funeral Services. Rev B 24/7 hotline: (951)-523-7644 Email:[email protected]

1. Scope: Scope of this document is to provide general guidelines and protocols related to the demise of a

Muslim brother or sister and follow up ISCN funeral services and operating directives. The document also

provides guidelines for ISCN funeral committee volunteers as the Standard Operating Procedures of the

committee. All volunteers serving on the Funeral Committee are required to fill the ISCN Funeral Service

Consent form and required to be trained on the SOP under the Supervision of Chairman of the Funeral

Services Committee for Quality Assurance purposes of the services rendered to the community.

For general information please contact Funeral Services Chairperson at [email protected] or by calling (951)-523-7644.

2. Introduction: The death of a loved one, is one of the most traumatic experiences any of us will ever have

– however it is the beginning of the journey of eternal afterlife for the departed soul to the Creator as

“Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return”. To educate the bereaved family with the

process, following guidelines and protocols are documented as ISCN standard operating procedures to

assist with the funeral and burial servicing needs:

a. Muslim Demise – In House death protocols

b. Muslim Demise – Hospital or Nursing home death protocols

c. Transportation of the deceased person to the Mortuary

d. Protocols for Ghusul, Shrouding, Viewing and Salat-ul-Janaza

e. Burial

f. Forms for the bereaved family to submit (Please see the end of this document).

3. Muslim Demise – In house death protocols: If the death happens at home, i.e. hospice situation for people

with advanced illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, ALS,

mailto:[email protected]


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Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis – or any unfortunate events, following steps shall be taken by the

family members:

a. Call 911 in case of a non-hospice death where a nurse practitioner or Physician is not present.

b. The family member shall notify the Physician with the place and time of death of the deceased. In

case of hospice the attending nurse (if present) may initiate the communication and advise with

the next steps as deemed necessary per Doctor’s recommendation.

c. Notify immediate and extended Family member(s)

a. Notify ISCN Funeral Coordinator and ISCN Funeral Services Chairperson at:

Ph: 951-523-7644, Email: [email protected]

4. Muslim Demise – Hospital or Nursing home death Protocols:

a. Upon declaration of death by the staff representative (RN Nurse or Doctor or certified medical

representative), the family representatives of the deceased shall notify ISCN Funeral Services

chairperson and/or Funeral Coordinator at 951-523-7644.

b. ISCN funeral committee representative shall coordinate and assist with picking up the deceased

from home or hospital to be transported to the Mortuary and advise family representative with the

pickup details.


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5. Transportation of the deceased person to the Mortuary:

Declaration of the Family Rights: Please note that ISCN facilitate the Mortuary services for the convenience and comfort of the family of the deceased and any assistance provided for the mortuary services is at the request of the family. The family has the right to perform ‘ghusul’ and ‘shrouding’ of the deceased, and/or request volunteering assistance from ISCN Volunteers as needed. Family representatives have the full right of choice to use any other services with any other organizations in the region.

ISCN funeral committee representative shall advise the bereaved family members with all the

necessary step needed and provide all the forms (please see the end of this document) with clear

instructions to fill out (or assist if needed) with the necessary information. The family representative of

the deceased shall fill out all the necessary information and hand off, fax or email the documents to

the Funeral Coordinator. [email protected]

a. The ISCN funeral committee representative shall provide the bereaved family representative with

the following two forms (also provided at the end of this document) to be filled to facilitate the Burial

Process:

i. The ISCN Interment Authorization and Indemnification

ii. Mortuary Intake form (To expedite the burial permit process).

b. The ISCN funeral committee representative shall coordinate with the Mortuary to facilitate the

pickup and coordinate with the family.

c. The Mortuary representative arrives on site (i.e. home or hospital), introduces himself to the family

representative and transport the body to the Mortuary (in a funeral car (hearse))

mailto:[email protected]


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d. The Mortuary representative shall advise with the necessary details with the next step to the family

representatives - along with the paperwork processing as needed - prior to leaving the premises

(House and /or Hospital)

e. The family representative per ISCN funeral committee representative direction shall initiate the

acquisition of required paperwork (i.e. Consent Form and needed for the burial to take place at the

cemetery by providing the accurately filled forms for ISCN interment and indemnification

authorization for the deceased along with Mortuary Intake form.

f. The Mortuary staff shall assist with the acquisition of required paperwork (County Issued Death

Certificate and burial permit) to facilitate the burial process. Riverside County issues the Death

Certificate, based on the Doctor’s certified report and the State Of California (Sacramento office)

further verifies the accuracy of information through the Doctor’s paperwork (submitted through

county) and advises Riverside County to proceed with the issuance of the certificate and ‘burial

permit’ to proceed with the burial at the cemetery. Riverside County offices operate Monday

through Friday 8 to 5 pm and until 12 pm Saturday. It takes approximately 3 weeks for the county

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=funeral+car&id=D066A1EA26B4C8DFDB924A477980611B2F2FAE7A&FORM=EQNAMI


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issued death certificate to arrive at the Mortuary office and the family representatives of the

deceased are contacted for the certificates to be picked up at the office.

Note: Typically, if the deceased has not been seen by a Doctor in the last 21 days, the case may be referred to

the county coroner office. If the deceased is referred to the coroner office (coroner case) for postpartum

autopsy or certain medical confirmation directives, then the office of the coroners shall be responsible for

initiating the paperwork with the county office directly. The family representatives of the deceased shall be

granted with the copies of the death certificate and the burial permit directly from the coroner office.

g. The cost for Mortuary services including two death certificates is enlisted for $2054. Any additional

certificates can be requested by paying an additional fee. The services and the certificate fee need

to be paid directly to the Mortuary by the family representative of the deceased by in person

visitation to the Mortuary office.

h. The Mortuary name, phone number and address (with map from ISCN campus) is given as follows:


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Norco Family Funeral Home 2645 Hamner Ave, Norco, CA 92860 Ph: (951) 898-1013

6. Protocols for Ghusul, Shrouding and Viewing: Ghusul: a. The deceased body at the Mortuary shall be held in an isolated temperature-controlled

environment (Morgue Cooler) for the initiation of religious services (Ghusul, Shrouding and

Viewing) followed by the burial.

b. To prepare the body for burial, it must be washed (“Ghusl”) and shrouded (“Kafan”). Close same-

sex family members are encouraged to give Ghusl, though in the case of spousal death the spouse

may perform the washing.

c. The Mortuary and ISCN funeral preparation workers and volunteers will assist with the “Ghusul”

(full ablution). ISCN have dedicated team of Female and Male volunteers to perform the services.


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d. The body of the deceased shall be removed from the Morgue Cooler at the Mortuary and under

the supervision of Mortuary representative and ISCN funeral committee representative.

e. Male(s) shall only be allowed to wash the bodies of males and female(s) shall only wash the bodies of females.

f. In the absence of same sex volunteers to perform the ghusl ISCN recommends that volunteers from

within the family of the deceased step forward or delay the washing for 24 hours while trying to

secure volunteers to wash.

g. Under no circumstances will ISCN permit the washing of bodies by the opposite gender - with the

exception of husband and wives opting for undertaking the services.

h. The body of the deceased should be placed on a ‘ghusul’ table or alike, the deceased’s clothes

should be removed.

i. The body of the deceased should be covered with a sheet of cloth for the entire duration of the

‘ghusl’.

j. The ‘Auwra’ (private parts) of the deceased should be covered with a sheet of cloth (The aura of a

male is from the belly button to the knee in the presence of males, for the female is the same in

the presence of females)

k. The head and the upper body should be raised slightly to ensure the washing water with

exudations from the body flows down and does not run back to the body.


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l. Items or objects not already removed shall be removed. These include watches, hospital or

mortuary ID tags, wound dressings, IV lines, peg tubes, artificial limbs. If there is any active bleeding

or wound ‘discharge’, then that may be padded and dressed.

m. The washer should start washing by saying: "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah)

n. The washer should wear gloves and a face mask and clean away any impurities from the body using

water. Upon removal of impurities the washer should dispose-off the gloves.

o. The washer should take another pair of clean gloves and press lightly the stomach of the deceased

to expel, (if possible), any remnants from it, and then wash the body of all impurities using water

and dispose-off the gloves.

p. The washer should take another pair of gloves, and wash the covered private parts, and dispose

of the gloves.


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q. The washer should perform wudhu (ablution) for the deceased without inserting the water in the

nose and in the mouth.

r. The washer may use a piece of wet cotton wool in a small roll (or cotton buds) to clean nose and

front teeth.

s. The washer should clean the body with water and soap (if available), starting from the head (hair,

face and beard in men), then the upper right side of the body then the left side, followed by the

cleansing the lower right side and then the lower left side.

t. In the case of a female, her hair should be loosened, washed, combed, and be braided in three

braids, and placed behind her back.

u. The washing should be done three times, or five times, or seven times as needed. Washing shall be

performed starting with the right side of the body before the left, and the upper parts before the

lower ones.


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v. In the last phase of washing, the washer may use camphor, or some perfume with the water

followed by the drying of the body with a clean towel.

w. The body should be covered with a clean sheet. The ‘auwra’ must be kept covered at all times.

Note:

(1) In case the deceased is a female in her menstrual period or have child birth bleeding, padding should be used to

prevent blood from leaving the body.

(2) In unusual circumstances, where the opportunities and supporting resources to perform a complete ‘Ghusul’ are not

available, the deceased should be subject to the cleansing act of “Tayammum”. The person (male or female) performing Tayammum to the deceased should wear gloves, place both hands on clean dirt (or soak with clean water) or sand and then lightly rub the hands only on the face and hands of the deceased. One should use the sheet to cover the deceased

body and wrap the body in shrouds while keeping the private parts of the deceased completely covered.

Pandemic Alert Warning (1) In case of a Pandemic related death (e.g. COVID-19) the body shall be processed per local county and cdc guidelines. Please visit county of riverside website https://www.countyofriverside.us/ and center of disease control website at https://www.cdc.gov/ for up to date information.

Shrouding (Kafan):

Shrouding should start immediately after the “ghusul” of the deceased. To shroud the body, multiple large

white sheets of inexpensive material should be laid on top of each other. The body should be placed on top of

the sheets. The shroud is provided by ISCN with no cost to the bereaved family.

All of the following steps pertaining to the shrouding of a body must be performed by volunteers of the same

sex as the deceased.

1. Male Shrouding:

a. The Kafan of a male should consist of three white wrapping sheets, and 4 tie ropes

b. Outer sheet - Lifafah

https://www.countyofriverside.us/

https://www.cdc.gov/


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c. Second sheet - Izaar

d. Third sheet - Qamees (shirt)

e. 3-4 ties

f. 2 smaller sheets (satar) used cover the private parts (auwra) one before and the other after

ghusl.


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2. Steps for Male Shrouding

a. The wrapping sheets should be opened and spread out one on the top of the other

b. Roll up the front half of the top sheet towards the head - Qameez (shirt)

c. The deceased, covered with a sheet (satar), is lifted and laid on his back on this top sheet

(Qameez)

d. The ‘Qameez’ is then unrolled over the front of the body and once the body is covered then

remove the satar (covering sheet)

e. Some scent or perfume or sandal wood paste may be put on those parts of the body upon which

one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet

f. If it is possible the deceased’s left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on

the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer)


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g. The edge of the next sheet (Izaar) is then folded over the deceased right side, then the other

edge over his left side.

h. Then the last sheet (Lifafah) should be folded the same way.

i. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth (tie ropes), one above the head, another

under the feet, and two around the body

j. This completes the shrouding for the male.

3. Female Shrouding

The Kafan of a female should consist of seven white garments and 4 ties.

a. Outermost sheet - Lifafah

b. Second sheet - Sinaband - to cover from under armpits to thighs

c. Third sheet - Izaar

d. Fourth layer - Qameez

e. Last piece - Orni - to cover head and hair

f. 3-4 ties


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g.


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h. 2 smaller sheets (satar) used for covering the private parts before and after ghusl


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4. Steps for Female Shrouding

a. All the sheets should be spread out in layers

b. Roll up the front half of the top sheet towards the head - Qamees(shirt)

c. The deceased, covered with a sheet (satar), is lifted and laid on her back on this top sheet

(Qamees)

d. The Qamees is then unrolled over the front of the body and once the body is covered then

remove the satar (covering sheet)

e. Some amount of scent or perfume may be applied on those parts of the body upon which one

rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.

f. The ‘sinaband’ (loin cloth) is bound round in the upper leg area and acts like an underwear.

g. Apply the head veil

h. The deceased’s left hand should be placed on her chest, then put her right hand on the left hand

like the way in the Salat (Prayer)


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i. The edge of the Izaar sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his

left side.

j. Then the last (Lifafah) sheet should be folded the same way

k. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth (tie ropes), one above the head, another

under the feet, and two around the body.

l.


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Viewing and Salat-ul-Janaza:

a. Once the Ghusul and Shrouding is completed, the body is transferred into the “open muslim

coffin” provided by the ISCN, with the assistance of ISCN Funeral Committee Volunteers and

family members.

b. The Coffin is covered with the muslim shroud adorned with Quranic Verses and Kalima provided

by ISCN.

c. The Coffin is placed on height adjustable dolly and transported to the designated viewing area in

the Mortuary for family member viewing.

k. The body should then be transported to the mosque (“masjid”) for funeral prayers, (“Salat al-

Janazah).” It is recommended that the funeral prayer be led by a member of the deceased's

family. Should they choose to forfeit their right to lead the prayer, they may appoint an imam or

anyone else they choose to lead the prayer.


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Note: It is not mandatory to perform Salat ul Janazah at the Masjid – It can be performed at the

mortuary or at the cemetery under unusual circumstances (e.g. Pandemic).

l. The Duaa-E-Janazah and the general recommendations for the prayers are illustrated as follows:


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Burial:

Note: The paperwork provided to the ISCN representative by the family members (early on in the process) bearing the information of the deceased, shall be notarized and the family member should re-verify the accuracy of the information presented in the paperwork. The funeral committee chairperson can facilitate the notarization process with family member approval. ISCN requires the paperwork to be submitted to the cemetery and for internal record keeping purposes.

a. Once the Salat Al- Janazah is completed, the body of the deceased is transported to the

cemetery.

b. When the body is being transported to the cemetery, the body should be placed in the vehicle

with the head pointing towards the front. In this manner, the body should proceed to the

cemetery with the “head-first”.

c. ISCN does not prohibit the attendance of women at the burial site so long as proper gender

boundaries are maintained

d. ISCN Funeral Committee shall facilitate the supply of water bottles and work with the cemetery

to provide seating and shaded canopy for women and elderlies near the burial site.

e. The ISCN funeral coordinator shall direct the burial process from loading and unloading for the

Janazah in the funeral car (hearse), to the organization and lining up of the family members and

friends, for the progression of coffin to the burial site.

f. Opposite gender “non-mahrams” shall not be allowed to manipulate or place the body in the

grave during the burial process, unless it is a dire necessity.


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g. ISCN does not prohibit the participation of women throwing dirt into the grave during the burial

process so long as proper gender boundaries are maintained.

h. At the burial site, family representative can advise and appoint the person(s) – one or two, - who

shall go inside the grave to receive, place and orient (face towards the Qibla) the deceased body

at their final resting place. ISCN funeral representative shall assist, direct and conduct the

closure of the grave in collaboration with the cemetery staff. Family members entering the grave

to lower the body in, are advised to use a step ladder to enter and exit the grave.

i. The deceased’s male relatives are expected to put the body in the grave, putting the body in the

grave should be carried out only by Muslim men. A grave is dug deep enough to totally hide the

body of the deceased.

j. A female is placed in her grave either by her husband, her sons, her father, her brothers, or

her uncle.

k. The Grave shall be dug and prepared at an intended angle facing the “Qibla” with reference

to the right side of the deceased body.

l. The deceased’s face should be towards the “Qiblah” with a head slightly tilted facing right.

The ‘head tilt’ is created by creating a mount of sand underneath the head of the deceased (A

Sand Pillow)


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m. The cemetery staff shall assist with the closure of the grave in coordination with the ISCN funeral

representative.

n. The family member shall advise and appoint a person for the post burial “Duaa” recitation and

special announcements.

o. The current cost of the burial plot at the Cemetery for the Grave and Stone is $2500.

p. The current cost of the Cemetery services for opening and closing of the grave is $2500.

Note: The prices mentioned above are subject to change over time. The total cost of the funeral

including the Mortuary services, two copies of death certificate, burial plot plus stone, and opening

and closing of the grave is expected to be $7054 or higher. For example, the cost of the cemetery

services is expected to be higher for the weekends, holidays and services rendered after 5:00pm.

q. The payment shall for burial services and cemetery shall be made to ‘ISCN’ as instructed per

ISCN funeral services chairperson. For additional information or questions call Funeral

Committee at (951)-523-7644.

Burial Orientation of the deceased inside the grave

facing Qibla with the face tilted on the its right side.

A sand pillow is built under the head of the deceased

to raise and orient the head towards the right.


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r. The Sunny Slope- Corona Cemetery is located at 1125 Rimpau Ave, Corona CA 92879 (3 minutes

from the ISCN campus)


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Notice to deceased Family Member: Please print the following two forms to be filled and notarized for the

authorization of Funeral services through ISCN.

FORMS AND PAPERWORK

NOTES:


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Interment Authorization and Indemnification

Deceased Data: Name: _________________________________________________________________________ DOB: _________/______________/_____________ DOD: _________/________/______________

Next of Kin Data: (For equal kinship use reverse side for multiple signatures. i.e. Children/Siblings)

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________ City: ____________________________ Zip: ___________ Phone: (________)____________________________

Interment Data: Islamic Section Grave #: _________ Outer Burial Container: Open Bottom_______________ Date: ____/_______/ 20______ Day: ________________ Time: ______:_______ AM/PM Mortuary: ________________________________________________Phone: ______________________

The undersigned parties (being defined as those persons whose signature are reflected as the purchaser of the burial plot / Authorized Representative and/or Next of Kin) hereby certify they have full legal authority to direct the Interment of the remains of the deceased, and hereby authorize the Islamic Society of Corona\Norco and Corona Cemetery Association (“Cemetery”) to make disposition of the remains of the deceased as indicated. The undersigned parties hereby further certify and represent that they are the Lot Owner(s) and/or the Next of Kin of the deceased and hereby authorize use of the said interment rights for the interment of the remains of the above named deceased.

WAIVER OF LIABILITY: Under any and all circumstances, the undersigned parties, on their own behalf and on behalf of their successors, heirs and assigns, agents, and representatives hereby agree to indemnify, defend, protect and hold, the Cemetery and Islamic Society of Corona-Norco (ISCN), its officers, directors, trustees, members, agents, consultants, attorneys, employees, insurers, successors in interest, assigns and representative harmless from and against any and all liens, claims, demands, causes of action, and rights for property damage, diminution in value, emotional distress, anxiety, mental and physical injury, damages of any kind, exemplary damages, attorney’s fees and costs, consultant fees and any other fees and/or costs of any kind, that he/she, it or they may incur or sustain in connection with, or any related to, the interment authorized hereunder.

Islamic Society of Corona\Norco makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to the condition of the burial plot or the surroundings or anything else. The person signing this agreement represents and warrants to the Islamic Society of Corona\Norco that he/she has the authority to grant this action and acknowledges that the Islamic Society of Corona\Norco, its employees, agents, or representatives will not be held liable or responsible for any and all claims arising from this burial. The Islamic Society of Corona\Norco assumes no liability for any property or for bodily injury sustained during interment from causes beyond their reasonable control.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: I understand that the Islamic Society of Corona\Norco will not be liable for any acts or omissions for any reason whatsoever. The Islamic Society of Corona\Norco will not be liable for mental anguish, shock, or intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress arising out of any interment and I will hold ISCN harmless and indemnify ISCN for any judgment issued against its officers and employees.

I / we have read the forgoing Waiver of Liability and agree to its terms and agree to indemnify the Islamic Society of Corona\Norco and its officers, contractors and employees from any claims by myself or any third parties. I acknowledge that I have a right to have this examined by a lawyer.

AGREED, ACKNOWLEDGED AND UNDERSTOOD WITOUT DURESS ON THIS DATE: _____/______/ 20___

______________________________________ _________________________________________ Next of Kin (Signatures must be notarized) PRINT NAME _______________________________________________ _____________________________ Plot Owner / Islamic Society of Corona-Norco Date


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______________________ END OF THE DOCUMENT ____________________________

Revision History Author(s) Comments Revision Date

Br. Kamran Haque / Br. Ayaz Kalimullah

Initial Release A April 24th 2020, 1st of Ramadan, 1441 Hijri

Br. Kamran Haque Added “Rights of the Family note for the mortuary services”

B May 24th 2020. 1st of Shawwal, 1441 Hijri

Documents

Muslim funeral services iscn - Islamic Society of Corona-Norco...ISCN funeral committee representative shall advise the bereaved family members with all the necessary step needed and