Muslims begin to carry out funeral rites as soon as it becomes clear that a person is on the verge of life and death. These rituals can only be performed by persons with a clerical rank.
First, the dying person is placed on his back so that his legs are turned towards Mecca. Then, loudly, so that the dying person can hear, a prayer begins to be read. Before dying, according to tradition, he is given a sip of cold water to drink. Relatives are not allowed to cry near the dying person. Immediately after a person has died, his chin is tied up, his eyes are covered, his legs and arms are straightened, and his face is covered. Some heavy object is placed on the stomach of the deceased.
A ritual of ablution and washing is performed over the deceased. As a rule, Muslims are buried only after three ritual ablutions, in which at least four people participate, who must be of the same sex as the deceased.
According to Sharia, Muslims are buried in only one shroud. Clothing is not permitted under any circumstances. The whole community can participate in the burial of a Muslim if the deceased was a poor person. The material from which the shroud is made usually corresponds to the material condition of the deceased. The deceased must not cut his nails or hair. Before burial, the body of the deceased is perfumed with various oils. Prayers are read over it, and then wrapped in a shroud, tying knots at the head, at the feet and at the belt. These knots are untied before lowering the body into the grave. The deceased, wrapped in a shroud, is placed on a special funeral stretcher, on which he is delivered to the cemetery. Muslims attach particular importance to the funeral prayer, which is performed by the imam of the mosque or his deputy. No bows are made during this prayer. They strive to bury the deceased as quickly as possible. If the stretcher with the body is lowered to the ground, then the head of the deceased must be turned towards Kybla. The deceased is lowered into the grave with his feet down, after which a handful of earth is thrown into the pit and poured with water. The grave can be dug in completely different ways, depending on the terrain. Sometimes it is strengthened with burnt bricks or boards. During the funeral, all those present must read prayers with the mention of the name of the deceased.
All Muslim graves are facing towards Mecca. Under no circumstances should a Muslim be kept in a non-Muslim cemetery.
