Why Should I Plan Ahead?
In Islam, preparing for one's death is a way of ensuring that the final rites are carried out according to Islamic traditions, while also alleviating the burden on family and loved ones during a time of grief.
Plan Online Now
Benefits of Preplanning
Lets Your Wishes Be Known
The death of a loved one often brings about unwarranted stress and turmoil among families. One family member wants one thing, while another family member wants something different. By planning ahead, you help prevent those disagreements by letting your family know what your wishes are and how you want your funeral service to be carried out and your business handled.
Peace of Mind
Our staff guarantees we will carry out the arrangements you want, just as you directed. Once the plans have been arranged, you and your family can rest easy knowing at the time of death, those uncomfortable decisions have been made. In a time when a family should be able to easily grieve, preplanning allows for that to happen.
Flexible Funding Options
When you preplan your funeral arrangements, there are more options when it comes to funding the funeral. A preneed insurance policy, life insurance policy or other payment options can all be arranged before the time of death. At the time of death, services must be paid in full, so having options ahead of time can also reduce other stress related to losing someone.
Relieves The Burden From Family
Following the death of a loved one, there are more than 150 decisions that have to be made within the first day or two following the death. Those stressful decisions on top of the stress of grieving a loss can be eliminated by arranging your final wishes ahead of time. If those decisions are made, your loved ones aren’t left wondering what you would have wanted and how they should proceed with funeral plans. With those decisions out of the way, your loved one can begin the healing process sooner.
Preplanning Your Islamic Funeral Service
Planning ahead for a Muslim funeral involves practical, legal, and spiritual considerations that reflect the Islamic values of simplicity, humility, and respect for the deceased. Here are the key steps for planning an Islamic funeral service before death.
Understanding Islamic Funeral Practices
Before making plans, it is important to have a clear understanding of the key components of an Islamic funeral service. These practices are based on the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Pre-Arranging Funeral Services
Pre-arranging your funeral service allows you to ensure that your final wishes are respected. Islamic funeral homes and mortuaries that specialize in Islamic practices can help you plan in advance:
- Choosing a Funeral Home or Mortuary: Research funeral homes that specialize in Islamic funeral services, ensuring they understand and follow the traditional Islamic rites for Ghusl, Kafan, and Janazah.
- Pre-Paying for Funeral Expenses: To ease the financial burden on your family, consider pre-paying for the funeral services, including transportation, body preparation, burial, and any other associated costs. Many funeral homes offer packages that include everything from the washing and shrouding of the body to the funeral prayer and burial arrangements.
Designating a Will or Religious Instructions
Creating a will in accordance with Islamic law (Shariah) is essential in ensuring that your final wishes are honored. This is particularly important if you want to specify how your funeral and burial should be handled:
- Writing an Islamic Will (Wasiyyah): In Islam, it is recommended that a person prepares a will to ensure that their assets are distributed according to Islamic inheritance laws. The will can also include instructions for your funeral, such as whether you prefer a particular location for burial, special requests for prayers, or charity donations in your name.
- Appointing a Guardian: If you have minor children or dependents, it is essential to designate a guardian in your will to ensure their care according to Islamic principles.
Selecting the Burial Site
Choosing a burial site in advance can ensure that your final resting place is in accordance with Islamic traditions. Islamic burial sites are often designated areas within cemeteries that follow the principles of Islamic burial:
- Islamic Cemetery: Consider purchasing a plot in a Muslim cemetery, where the burial process will follow Islamic customs, such as the body being placed on the right side, facing the Qibla. These cemeteries are designed to accommodate the specific needs of Muslim burial rites.
- Planning the Burial Details: Discuss with your family or the cemetery staff any specific preferences you have, such as the desired location in the cemetery or any markings for the grave.
Arranging for Salat al-Janazah (Funeral Prayer)
The Salat al-Janazah is a fundamental part of the Islamic funeral service. Preplanning for the funeral prayer ensures that this important ritual is performed according to your wishes:
- Notifying the Mosque or Imam: If you belong to a local mosque, consider notifying the imam ahead of time so they can be prepared to lead the funeral prayer when the time comes.
- Designating a Leader for the Prayer: If you have specific instructions for who should lead the Salat al-Janazah, whether it be a family member, a close friend, or the mosque imam, be sure to communicate this ahead of time.
Preparing for Charity (Sadaqah) in Your Name
In Islam, charity (Sadaqah) is a vital way to benefit the deceased after death. One of the most meaningful ways to leave a legacy is through Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity), which continues to benefit the soul of the deceased.
- Designating Charitable Contributions: You can specify in your will or pre-arrangement forms that donations be made to specific charitable causes, such as supporting the education of orphans, building wells, or contributing to health care initiatives. These acts of charity will continue to earn rewards for you in the afterlife.
- Setting Up Funds for Sadaqah Jariyah: If you have a particular charitable cause you care about, you can arrange for a fund to be set up, ensuring ongoing donations in your name.
Discussing Your Funeral Wishes with Family Members
It is crucial to communicate your funeral wishes to your family members to ensure they are aware of your preferences. By discussing your plans openly, you can reduce the emotional and logistical burden on them during a difficult time.
- Religious and Cultural Sensitivity: When discussing your plans, make sure that your family understands your desire to adhere to Islamic funeral rites and has the knowledge to carry them out properly.
- Writing Your Wishes Down: It’s helpful to write down your funeral preferences in a document that accompanies your will, so there is no confusion when the time comes.
Providing for the Maintenance of Your Grave
In Islam, it is considered a great act of charity to ensure that the grave of a loved one is maintained and respected. Planning ahead can ensure that your grave is looked after according to Islamic values.
- Endowment for Grave Care: Some people choose to allocate funds for the maintenance and care of their grave, ensuring that it remains a peaceful and respected place for the soul to rest.
- Simple, Humble Marker: While a simple marker can be placed to identify the grave, Islamic teachings emphasize that the grave should remain modest, with no excessive ornamentation.