What to do when a Muslim
loved one passes

If your loved one passed at home, call their GP (or the NHS out-of-hours service on 111) to confirm the death. In a hospital, the ward staff arrange this.

The doctor issues a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. If the death was sudden, unexplained, or within 24 hours of hospital admission, it may be referred to the coroner — this can add time, and the coroner's office can usually expedite when told the family needs a quick burial for religious reasons. Say so early and clearly.

Register at the local register office — by law within 5 days in England and Wales (8 in Scotland). Many offices keep urgent same-day appointments for faith communities; phone and ask rather than waiting for the next online slot.

Bring the medical certificate and, if you have them, the deceased's NHS number, date and place of birth, and last address.

The registrar gives you the Certificate for Burial — universally called the green form. The cemetery cannot bury without it (or the coroner's equivalent, Form 101). Keep it safe and take it with you on the day.

Phone or WhatsApp the cemetery as early as you can — even before registration is complete. Muslim cemeteries are used to working towards burial within 24 hours wherever the paperwork allows, and will tell you exactly what they need from you.

You'll usually be asked for: the deceased's full name and age, the green form (or confirmation it's coming), who is responsible for arrangements, and roughly when the funeral party will arrive.

A funeral director is optional. Many families arrange a Muslim burial directly with the masjid and cemetery; a director experienced with Muslim funerals can carry the logistics if the family prefers.

The washing (ghusl) and shrouding (kafan) are arranged through your masjid or the cemetery — many have washing facilities on site or work with a nearby mortuary that does.

Your masjid will guide who performs the ghusl and how. This is one of the moments where communities differ in practice; follow the guidance of your own scholars.

Salat al-janazah is usually held at the masjid after one of the daily prayers — most often Dhuhr or Jumu'ah — or at the cemetery itself. Agree the time with the imam and tell the cemetery, so the grave is ready when the funeral party arrives.

Bring the green form. The cemetery checks it at the gate — without it the burial legally cannot proceed.

The cemetery will have the grave prepared, aligned so the deceased rests facing the Qibla. Staff will guide the lowering and backfilling; in most cemeteries family and friends are welcome to take part.

For a child under 18, the Children's Funeral Fund for England covers the burial fees — the cemetery claims it directly, and the family should not be charged for the plot or interment.

The registrar's other certified copies of the death certificate are what banks, insurers, and the pension service will ask for — order a few copies at registration, it's cheaper than ordering later.

If the cemetery is on Dafn Registry, the family can claim the memorial page: write the life story, add family connections and chosen verses, set up Sadaqah Jariyah, and approve tributes from visitors. All of it free.