Bereavement Guide for Muslim Families

Important guidance during difficult times

Losing a loved one is never easy. During this difficult time, there are important Islamic and legal steps that need to be taken.

If you are unsure what to do, seek guidance from your family, local mosque, funeral director, or a trusted organisation that supports Muslim bereavement and funeral arrangements.

When You Hear of a Death

It is Sunnah to say:

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

"Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return."

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:156)

Take a moment to make du'a for the deceased and offer support to their family.

1. If the Death Was Expected

If your loved one passed away at home or in a care setting after a known illness:

  • Contact the GP or doctor who was caring for them.
  • The doctor will usually issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) if they can confirm the cause of death.
  • You will then need to register the death before funeral arrangements can continue.

If the doctor is unable to certify the death, the case may need to be referred to the Coroner.

If you are unsure about the next steps, seek advice from an experienced Islamic funeral service or bereavement support organisation.

2. If the Death Occurs in Hospital

If your loved one passes away in hospital:

  • The hospital will contact the next of kin.
  • A doctor will prepare the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
  • The hospital will care for your loved one until they can be released for the funeral.

Before the hospital can release the deceased, the required paperwork must usually be completed.

An experienced funeral service or support organisation can liaise with the hospital and help ensure the process moves as smoothly as possible.

Medical Examiner

Most hospitals now have a Medical Examiner who reviews every hospital death before the Medical Certificate is issued.

This is a routine process and helps ensure the cause of death has been recorded correctly.

Occasionally, this review can delay the release of the deceased. If this happens, your funeral director or support organisation can liaise with the hospital and keep you informed.

Post-Mortems

Hospitals may sometimes ask permission to carry out a post-mortem examination.

If the post-mortem is not legally required, Islam teaches that it should generally be avoided.

If you are asked to give consent and are unsure what to do, seek advice before making a decision.

Where to Get Further Support

If you need guidance or practical assistance following the death of a loved one, there are a mixture of paid for and free services you can contact whose experienced team can help families understand the next steps, explain the legal requirements, and assist with arranging an Islamic funeral in accordance with Islamic teachings.

If you are unsure about any part of the process, or simply need someone to guide you through what happens next, you can contact charities such as Supporting Humanity who can guide you through this process or other paid for service providers.

Free Services

Paid for Services

Disclaimer

  • This guide is provided by RMC for general information and educational purposes only.
  • References to external organisations, charities, healthcare providers, government bodies, mosques, funeral directors, or support services are included solely to help readers access additional information and assistance where appropriate.
  • Unless expressly stated, RMC is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any third-party organisation or charity mentioned in this guide, including Supporting Humanity Charity. Any support or services provided by these organisations are independent of RMC, and readers are encouraged to contact them directly for further information.
  • The information contained in this guide is intended as general guidance and should not be considered legal, medical, or religious advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication, procedures and regulations may change. If you require specific advice, please consult the relevant authorities or a suitably qualified professional.