The opening prayer at a funeral is a time of remembrance and comfort. The words of this prayer praise God and mention the occasion that you are gathered for, while focusing on hope in eternal life. These prayers can be read by a pastor or clergy member, by close friends and family members, or even corporately by the entire crowd.

A Muslim should always offer the Funeral solat jenazah over a deceased person (before burial). It is also good to offer it in absentia for a friend or relative who has died. There is a great reward for doing this, according to the Prophet.

Those who attend the funeral procession should accompany it in an orderly manner and should keep quiet, as the pious of the previous generations did. This is because raising one’s voice for recitation or for remembrance would distract attention from the prayer and would be unnecessary at this time.

Solat Jenazah: A Comprehensive Guide to the Funeral Prayer in Islam

When the imam arrives at the grave, he or she makes the intention for the ritual bath by saying “Bismillahi wa ‘ala millati rasulillahi.” He performs ablution for the deceased in the same way as Salat, except for wiping over the mouth and nose (where a simple rinse will suffice). Then, he washes the head of the deceased, wipes the neck, and then washes the rest of the body. He then makes du’a for the deceased: “O Allah, if this man was a doer of good, then increase his good deeds and forgive his sins. O Allah, if this man was an evil doer then punish him and forsake his evil.”

After this, the imam says the first Takbir (raising of the hands is optional) and Durood-i Ibrahimi, and then says four times Allahu Akbar. He or she then makes the required supplications for the dead person and comes up with the Words of Peace, which ends the funeral prayer.