The janazah prayer and the burial

There is great reward in carrying the janazah, even a few steps — better than passing it hand to hand. The procession keeps to quiet remembrance: no raised voices, no laughter or worldly chatter. At the graveyard, take care not to walk or step on any grave.

Salat al-janazah is fard kifayah — if some of the community attend, the obligation is lifted from all; if none do, all share the burden. The body is placed at the front, the imam organises the congregation into an odd number of rows (three where numbers are small), facing the Qibla.

The prayer is structured around four takbeers, said standing throughout: after the first, the opening praise (thana); after the second, the salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ; after the third, the supplication for the deceased and the living; and after the fourth, the closing salaam to each side. There are additional supplications where the deceased is a child.

The exact wording is best learned from your imam, and the prayer is always led by one — this outline is only so the unfamiliar know what to expect.

Scholars agree that, unless circumstances require otherwise, a Muslim is ideally buried without a casket, the body laid directly to rest facing the Qibla. Many UK councils and Muslim cemeteries accommodate this, preparing the grave with a Qibla-facing embankment on which the body is laid. Ask your cemetery — they will know the local arrangement.

When the body is lowered, it is sunnah to say: Bismillah, wa 'ala millati rasul-illah — "In the name of Allah, and according to the religion of the Messenger of Allah." The shroud's ties are undone once the body is in the grave.

The Prophet ﷺ taught a greeting to the people of the graves — saluting the believers dwelling there, asking safety for them and for us, and remembering that we will follow. Your masjid can teach the full wording; visiting regularly, quietly and considerately is itself part of honouring the dead.