Islamic
Islam, also known as the Islamic faith, is the second largest religion in the world in terms of adherents. Muslims believe in Allah as the sole Creator of the universe. While Allah bestows life and spirituality upon humans, He also determines the limits of life and death. Therefore, Islam holds a tolerant view of life and death. Pursuing the path of God during life, devout and virtuous souls return to Allah and attain eternal life. This also influences Muslim funeral practices. Since death is merely a transitional stage, Islamic funerals emphasize minimal mourning and simple burials. According to Islamic doctrine, God created man from the essence of earth, and upon death, the body should immediately return to the earth. Therefore, regardless of wealth or status, Muslims bury their deceased loved ones in the earth. The body is wrapped in white cotton cloth, without a coffin, and buried within three days. The rituals and rites are simpler than those of other religions.
1. Initial prayer (臨終提念)
Let the dying person face west with his head to the north and feet to the south, and remind him to recite the Islamic creed and believe in God.
2. Announcement of death (通知死訊)
Islam requires quick burial, and the body must be buried within three days, and relatives and friends must be notified immediately.
3. Bathing & Shrouding (遺體洗淨 殮 安置)
The body is moved to a mosque or home, bathed and washed, wrapped in white cloth, placed on a water board, and covered with a wooden box.
4. Salat al-Janazah: funeral prayer (殯禮(站禮) )
The ceremony is presided over by an Imam (local governor, religious leader or mourner), who leads relatives and friends to stand beside the chest of the body and pray facing west.
5. al-Dafin: burial (安葬)
All burials are done in the ground, with the body placed directly in the grave. No burial objects are required and no earth mound is built, but a tombstone/stone can be erected.