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What happens during Islamic shrouding, and why does every step matter? Here's what families across New York need to know before that moment arrives.
When someone you love passes away, the next few hours can feel impossible. You’re grieving, you’re overwhelmed, and somewhere underneath all of that, you’re asking yourself: am I going to do this right? That question; the fear of getting it wrong; is one of the most common things Muslim families carry in those first hours after a death. And it’s completely understandable.
Ghusl and kafan are sacred obligations, not just logistics. This page is here to explain what the process looks like, what each step means, and what your family can expect when you reach out to us at Akhirah House of Worship. We serve families across Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Long Island, and we’re here to guide you through every part of this process.
The kafan is the white cloth in which a deceased Muslim is wrapped before burial. It is simple, humble, and deliberate, and that simplicity is the entire point. Islam teaches that every person, regardless of wealth, status, or background, meets Allah in the same manner. A scholar and a laborer are dressed the same way. There is no expensive casket, no cosmetics, no viewing. Just clean white cloth and the intention of the community fulfilling its obligation.
This is part of what makes the kafan so profound. It is not merely a burial practice; it is a theological statement about equality before God and about the reality of the Akhirah, the Hereafter. Every fold of the cloth, every step of the preparation, is oriented toward that reality. That is the spirit in which we approach this work at Akhirah House of Worship.
Before the kafan can be applied, the body must be washed; this is the ghusl. The ghusl of a deceased Muslim is a Fard Kifayah, a communal obligation. That means if qualified members of the community carry it out correctly, the obligation is fulfilled on behalf of everyone who knew of the death. If no one steps forward, the entire community bears the sin of the omission. It is not optional, and it is not something to be improvised.
The washing follows a specific method drawn from the Sunnah. The body is washed an odd number of times, typically three, using water mixed with lotus leaves (sidr). In the final wash, camphor is added. The body is washed from right to left, beginning with the parts washed in wudu. Throughout the process, the private areas of the deceased are kept covered, and no one who is not directly involved in the ghusl should be present.
One of the most important requirements, and one that families ask about constantly, is the gender requirement. A male deceased must be washed by men. A female deceased must be washed by women. This is not a preference or a guideline; it is a firm Islamic requirement. At a href=”https://www.akhirahny.com/about/”>Akhirah House of Worship, we maintain trained, gender-segregated ghusl teams at all times. Families of female deceased can be completely assured that only women will be present during the washing and preparation of their loved one.
After the ghusl is complete, the body is gently dried and prepared for the kafan. The transition from washing to shrouding should happen without unnecessary delay. Islamic law strongly encourages ta’jeel, hastening the burial. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “If a person passes away, hasten him to his grave and do not keep him away.” Every step of our process is designed with that urgency in mind.
This is one of the most commonly asked questions, and the answer depends on whether the deceased is male or female, and, to some degree, on the school of Islamic jurisprudence (madhab) followed by the family.
For a man, the majority scholarly opinion calls for three pieces of white cloth. These are the izar (lower wrap), the qamis (a shirt-like garment), and the lifafah (the outer sheet that covers the entire body). Some madhabs include additional pieces, and the dimensions and layering sequence vary. For a woman, five pieces are typically used: the izar, the qamis, a head covering (khimar), a chest wrap (khirqa), and the lifafah. This additional care in the kafan for women reflects the Islamic emphasis on modesty, which is preserved even after death.
The cloth itself should be white and simple. Extravagance is explicitly discouraged. The Prophet, peace be upon him, was shrouded in three white Yemeni garments, and that remains the model. Non-alcoholic ittar (perfume) may be applied to the places of sujood, the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet, as a final act of honor.
Once the body is wrapped, the kafan is secured with ropes: one tied above the head, two around the body, and one below the feet. These are loosened in the grave before burial. The entire process, from the first wash to the final securing of the kafan, should be carried out with calm, intention, and reverence. It is an act of worship for those performing it, not just a service rendered.
We understand that different families come from different traditions. New York’s Muslim community spans dozens of ethnic backgrounds and every major madhab. No matter if your family follows the Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, or Hanbali school, we are trained in the distinctions and prepared to honor what matters to your family specifically.
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New York is home to more than 750,000 Muslims, the largest Muslim population of any city in the United States. Queens alone is approximately 6% Muslim. Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Long Island all have significant, deeply rooted Muslim communities, each with its own ethnic traditions layered on top of the universal Islamic rites.
What that also means is that navigating a Muslim burial in New York involves more than religious preparation. New York State law requires a licensed funeral director to be involved in the removal and transportation of a deceased person, the filing of the death certificate, and the issuance of a burial permit. Families should not have to choose between following Islamic law and complying with state law. We handle both, so you don’t have to coordinate across multiple providers during one of the hardest moments of your life.
This is a practical question that carries real religious weight. Because Islamic law calls for burial as soon as possible after death, knowing where the burial will take place, and how long it will take to get there, matters from the first hour.
For families on Long Island, the primary Muslim burial destinations are Washington Memorial Park in Mt. Sinai, Suffolk County, and Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Center Moriches. Pinelawn Memorial Park, often cited as the closest cemetery to New York City on Long Island, also has a Muslim section and is a common choice for families in Nassau County and the outer boroughs who want to minimize travel time. The Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury has long been a central institution for coordinating these arrangements for the Island’s Muslim community.
For families in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan, transportation to Long Island cemeteries is the norm for many, and it requires coordination that should begin immediately after the death. Delays in contacting a funeral service, delays in paperwork, or delays caused by working with a provider unfamiliar with Muslim burial requirements can push the burial past the 24-hour window that Islamic tradition strongly encourages. That is why having a provider already known to your community, one who can mobilize quickly, handle the legal requirements, and coordinate cemetery access, is so important.
We serve families across all five boroughs and Long Island. No matter if you’re in Jackson Heights, Bay Ridge, the Fordham section of the Bronx, Harlem, or anywhere on Long Island, we can reach you and begin the process without delay.
One of the most frequent concerns we hear from families, particularly younger, second-generation Muslims who haven’t been through this before, is some version of: “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.” That is a completely honest and understandable place to be. Here are the questions we hear most often, answered plainly.
Can a non-Muslim funeral home handle a Muslim burial in New York? Technically, a licensed funeral home in New York State can handle the legal and logistical aspects of any burial. But the ghusl and kafan require specific Islamic training, gender-segregated teams, and a genuine understanding of the rites. Many conventional funeral homes default to embalming, which is strongly discouraged in Islam, or are simply unfamiliar with the requirements. The risk of something important being done incorrectly is real, and for most families, that risk is not acceptable.
Is embalming required in New York? No. New York State does not universally require embalming. In the vast majority of cases, a Muslim in New York can be buried without it. We do not embalm unless it is a legal requirement, for example, in certain international repatriation situations, and we will always discuss this with the family first.
Can family members be present during the ghusl? Yes, within the boundaries of Islamic propriety. Close family members of the same gender may be present. Many families find comfort in being nearby, even if not directly involved in the washing itself. We will always communicate clearly about who will be present and what each stage involves.
What if the medical examiner gets involved? In New York City and across the state, certain deaths, particularly those that are sudden, unexpected, or occur outside a medical setting, may require medical examiner involvement before the body is released. This can delay the burial, which is distressing for families who understand the Islamic emphasis on ta’jeel. We are experienced in navigating these situations and will advocate on your family’s behalf wherever possible to minimize delays.
What about sending the body to another country? International repatriation is a significant need in New York’s Muslim community, particularly for first-generation immigrants who wish to be buried in their home country. This process involves additional documentation, specific embalming requirements for some destinations, and coordination with international carriers. It is a service we can guide families through.
The ghusl and kafan are not tasks to be delegated to whoever is available. They are sacred rites, performed on behalf of the entire community, in preparation for the Akhirah. They deserve to be done correctly, with knowledge, with care, and with the urgency that Islamic law calls for.
New York’s Muslim community, from Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights, from the Bronx to the heart of Long Island, deserves a provider who understands both the religious and the legal dimensions of this process, and who can move quickly when a family needs them most. If you have questions about ghusl, kafan, burial coordination, or anything else related to Islamic funeral arrangements in New York, reach out to Akhirah House of Worship. We are here before you need us, and we will be here when you do.
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