In the first hours after a death, families often describe the same feeling: everything is suddenly urgent, and yet nothing feels simple. There are phone calls to make, relatives to notify, decisions that can’t be postponed, and a deep need to protect the dignity of the person who has died. In Islam, one of the most tender acts of care during this time is ghusl for the deceased—the ritual washing that prepares a Muslim for burial. It is done quietly, with privacy, and with the kind of reverence that says, without speeches, “You are still honored, even now.”
If you are supporting a Muslim loved one, or you are part of a community trying to help a family through these steps, it can help to understand what ghusl is, who typically performs it, and how it fits into the larger rhythm of Islamic funeral rites. And because modern families are often interfaith or blended—supporting Muslim relatives and non-Muslim relatives in different seasons of life—this guide also gently covers how funeral planning can look when burial is required for one person while cremation memorial choices may be relevant for another. That includes practical, compassionate guidance on cremation urns, cremation jewelry, and questions families ask later, like what to do with ashes or whether keeping ashes at home is okay.
What ghusl means, beyond the mechanics
Ghusl is not “just” washing. It is a final act of care rooted in the Islamic understanding of human dignity. Families often talk about it the way they talk about wrapping a newborn: an intimate responsibility carried out with gentleness, modesty, and love. The washing is performed in a clean, private space, and the body is kept covered as much as possible throughout the process. The goal is not perfection or ceremony for its own sake—it is respect.
Many communities treat these rites as a communal responsibility, which is why families are often supported by trained volunteers or mosque teams who know the requirements and can move calmly through each step. A helpful reminder is that practice can vary by region and school of thought, and families are typically encouraged to follow their imam and local norms. A widely shared funeral guide adapted from the Islamic Society of North America emphasizes that there can be more than one correct way of arranging a Muslim funeral, and that families should follow the imam and family customs in their community.
Who performs ghusl, and why privacy matters so much
One of the most common questions families ask is, “Who is allowed to do this?” In many communities, ghusl is performed by adults who are trustworthy, knowledgeable, and able to preserve the deceased’s modesty. Most often, those performing the washing are the same gender as the deceased. The National Burial Council is explicit on this point: for a deceased male, only males should wash him, and for a deceased female, only females should wash her, with special allowances for young children and for situations guided by local scholarship and necessity.
That same emphasis on privacy is why families often choose trained community members even when relatives are present and willing. It can be emotionally difficult to participate, and there are practical details that can feel overwhelming when you are grieving. A ghusl team can help families stay grounded and focused, making sure the environment is respectful and that the process is coordinated with everything else that needs to happen quickly.
How ghusl is performed, at a high level
Families do not usually want graphic detail. What they want is a gentle, high-level understanding so they can coordinate with confidence and know what to expect. In most communities, the process includes cleansing the body respectfully, washing with clean water, and maintaining modesty throughout, followed by shrouding in a simple cloth known as kafan. Many traditions wash more than once, often in an odd number, and use simple cleansing materials while ensuring the body remains covered. The exact order and particulars can differ across communities, which is why it’s best to treat local mosque guidance as your anchor.
If you are coordinating from a distance, it can help to know that ghusl is typically done before the funeral prayer (salat al-janazah) and burial, which often happen as soon as practical. The pace is part of what makes Islamic funeral care feel distinct to families who are encountering it for the first time: it is steady, direct, and focused on returning the person to God with dignity rather than extending the process with unnecessary delays.
Coordinating ghusl with a mosque or funeral home
In many areas, families coordinate ghusl through a mosque that has a dedicated washing facility and trained volunteers. In other areas, a funeral home may have an arrangement with local Islamic organizations or may provide a suitable, private space for the ghusl team to work. If you are unsure where to begin, the simplest first call is often the mosque most connected to the deceased or the family. If you are working with a funeral home, ask early whether they have experience with Islamic requirements, including quick timelines, minimal handling beyond what is necessary, and the need for privacy and same-gender washing teams.
When families feel overwhelmed, it helps to remember that coordination is mostly about timing and communication. A short list is sometimes the clearest way to reduce stress without turning grief into paperwork.
- The deceased’s full name (as it will appear on documents)
- Where the person is now (home, hospital, care facility)
- Whether the family has a preferred mosque, imam, or cemetery
- Any urgent travel or timing constraints for close relatives
- Contact information for the primary decision-maker
If you are worried about “getting it wrong,” know that communities are built for these moments. The right team will guide you gently, answer questions without judgment, and help you move from uncertainty into the next clear step.
Shrouding, janazah, and burial: how it all fits together
After ghusl, the deceased is typically wrapped in a simple shroud (kafan). The simplicity is intentional: it signals equality and humility, and it helps families focus on prayer, remembrance, and community support rather than material display. Then comes the funeral prayer, often at a mosque or sometimes at the cemetery, followed by burial.
Because burial is generally the norm in Islamic practice, families often prioritize a burial plot that can accommodate Islamic requirements, including orientation and timing constraints, depending on local rules. Practical details vary by location, so it’s wise to coordinate early with the cemetery and the imam, especially if the death occurs during a weekend, holiday, or in a place where Islamic burial options are limited.
A gentle note for interfaith and blended families
It’s increasingly common for one family to need two kinds of knowledge at once. You may be arranging a Muslim burial today, while also helping a non-Muslim parent plan ahead, or supporting a spouse whose preferences differ from their in-laws. You may also be supporting friends and neighbors in your community who are choosing cremation, even if cremation is not part of your own faith tradition. Holding space for that complexity is part of modern funeral planning, and it doesn’t diminish the sacredness of ghusl. It simply acknowledges that families often carry more than one set of needs.
In the United States, cremation continues to rise. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the projected U.S. cremation rate for 2025 is 63.4%, with projections reaching 82.3% by 2045. The same NFDA statistics page also notes median national costs for funerals with burial and with cremation in 2023. Meanwhile, the Cremation Association of North America reports that cremation growth is slowing in pace, but the overall direction remains upward.
Those trends matter because more families are making decisions not only about services, but about memorial items and what happens after the cremation itself. If you are supporting someone who is choosing cremation—now or later—here is what families usually want to understand.
Choosing cremation urns in a way that feels steady, not salesy
An urn can feel like a strangely permanent decision at a time when your mind is still catching up. The simplest way to reduce stress is to start with the practical question: do you need a primary urn for the full remains, or a smaller memorial meant for sharing? If you are looking for a central memorial at home or for a niche at a cemetery, many families begin with cremation urns for ashes and then narrow by material or style once they feel oriented.
If your plan includes sharing among siblings, dividing ashes between households, or creating a second memorial for travel, you may find yourself drawn to small cremation urns or keepsake urns. These options often bring emotional relief because they make space for more than one kind of grieving: the person who needs a central place of remembrance, and the person who needs something close-by and personal.
If you want a calm, practical explanation of how families choose sizes, materials, and placement, Funeral.com’s guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn walks through the decision in everyday language, including the common worry of choosing the wrong size.
Pet urns for ashes and the grief that doesn’t shrink
Pet loss is often minimized by the outside world, but families know the truth: grief follows love, and love is not measured by species. If you are choosing pet urns, it can help to start with the same steady approach—what feels right for your home, and what fits your companion’s remains. Many families browse pet urns for ashes first, then move toward more specific designs once they find a tone that matches their pet’s personality.
If you want a memorial that looks like a comforting piece of art rather than something “funeral-like,” pet figurine cremation urns can feel especially fitting—small statues that quietly capture a familiar posture or breed. And if your family is sharing ashes between households, or you want a small portion in a private space, pet keepsake cremation urns can provide that gentle middle ground between holding on and letting go.
Cremation jewelry and the wish to carry someone with you
There are seasons of grief when a home memorial is not enough. You may be traveling, returning to work, or simply moving through ordinary days that suddenly feel unfamiliar. That’s where cremation jewelry can be a quiet kind of support. Families often choose it not because they want attention, but because they want continuity—a way to keep love close without needing to explain it to anyone.
If you are exploring options, you can compare cremation jewelry by type and material, or start specifically with cremation necklaces if you know you want a pendant style. Many families find it helpful to read a plain-language guide first, because questions like sealing, filling, and everyday wear matter. Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry 101 offers that gentle overview.
Keeping ashes at home and the questions people whisper
Even families who feel confident about cremation often hesitate when it comes to the next step. They wonder if it is “allowed,” whether it is safe with children and pets, and how to handle visitors with different beliefs. If you are considering keeping ashes at home, it may help to know that you are not unusual. Many families keep cremated remains at home temporarily, and some do so long-term, especially when a memorial service will be held later or when family members are scattered across different states.
If you want practical, grounded guidance—placement ideas, safety considerations, and respectful routines—Funeral.com’s resource Keeping Ashes at Home walks through the most common concerns without shaming the question.
Water burial, scattering, and what to do with ashes
Families use the phrase water burial in different ways. Sometimes they mean scattering ashes on the surface of the ocean or a lake. Sometimes they mean placing ashes in a biodegradable urn that floats briefly and then dissolves. What matters most is choosing a plan that aligns with your loved one’s values, the environment, and local rules.
If your family is exploring what to do with ashes and feels drawn to a water farewell, Funeral.com’s guide Biodegradable Water Urns for Ashes explains how these urns work and what to consider when planning a ceremony.
And if you are supporting a Muslim family facing a death at sea or far from a burial place, know that Islamic scholarship discusses exceptions in necessity-based situations, emphasizing washing, shrouding, prayer, and respectful handling when burial on land is not immediately possible. This is a specialized situation, and the best next step is always to consult an imam familiar with the family’s circumstances and the relevant rulings.
How much does cremation cost, and why prices feel confusing
Cost questions arrive quickly, often before families have even chosen a date for a service. The question how much does cremation cost is rarely just about money; it’s about stability. People want to know what they are committing to, what is optional, and how to avoid surprise fees.
If you are pricing options, it helps to distinguish between direct cremation (a simpler arrangement) and cremation with viewing or services. Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost in the U.S.? breaks down common fees and the practical reasons quotes can differ widely between providers. For broader context, the National Funeral Directors Association also publishes national median cost figures that can help families understand the landscape.
Bringing it back to what matters: dignity, clarity, and care
Whether you are coordinating ghusl for the deceased or helping another relative plan cremation memorial choices, families usually want the same thing: to do what is right, with dignity, and without unnecessary stress. Ghusl is sacred because it translates belief into action—care, modesty, community, and a final tenderness offered to someone who can no longer ask for it.
And when families are navigating more than one tradition in one lifetime, it can be comforting to remember that love often shows up in practical forms: a careful wash, a simple shroud, a prayer spoken shoulder to shoulder, an urn chosen thoughtfully, a small keepsake shared among siblings, a necklace that rests close to the heart. The details differ, but the intention is often the same. You are trying, in the middle of grief, to honor a life.
