S. M. Funerals Ltd.

Muslim Funeral Guide

After the death of someone close, there are several legal procedures that need to be done for the burial to take place.

Firstly, the death needs to be registered. A death can be registered by several people:

In England and Wales, the process for registering a death changed in September 2024. Now every death must be reviewed by a Medical Examiner before the registrar can register it. Here is the simple step-by-step process:

1. Doctor completes the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)

  • The doctor who treated the person completes the MCCD (Medical Certificate of Cause of Death).

  • This explains the medical cause of death.

  • 2. Medical Examiner reviews the death

    • The Medical Examiner (ME) checks:

      • The cause of death

      • Medical records

      • That everything is accurate.

    • They may also speak with the family to see if there are concerns.

    If the Medical Examiner is satisfied, they approve the certificate.

  • 3. Certificate sent to the Registrar

    • After approval:

      • The MCCD is sent electronically from the hospital/GP or Medical Examiner’s Office directly to the Register Office.

    • Families usually do NOT need to collect paperwork anymore.

Registering the death is free of charge, however copies of the death certificate can be purchased for £12.50 each. You will need to produce a copy of the death certificate when sorting out finances for the deceased with banks or insurance companies.

The registrar will ask for many details whilst registering the death. The person registering the death must be ready and aware of all details possible. Information required for the death certificate entry:
Additional information will be asked by the registrar for government statistics only. Information required for statistical purposes whilst registering the death:

Registering the death is free of charge, however copies of the death certificate can be purchased for £12.50 each. You will need to produce a copy of the death certificate when sorting out finances for the deceased with banks or insurance companies.

After registration you will receive:

  • Death Certificate(s) (£12.50 per copy)

  • Certificate for Burial or Cremation (Green Form) – given to the funeral director

  • Tell Us Once reference to notify government departments.

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If the death occurs at home

Specific procedures need to be followed if the death occurs at home. The local General Practitioner needs to be contacted. In addition to the GP, the police need to be contacted if the death was violent or unexpected and unknown, in this case, you must not touch anything in the home.
You may then contact a mosque to guide you to the right person or a funeral director who will assist you with the further steps to be taken. The death can then be registered at a local Registrar and any will or wishes of the deceased can be followed.

If the death occurs in a hospital/hospice

Normally a relative is close to the deceased, however, if this was not the case at the time of death, the nurse in charge or doctor will contact the next of kin.
If the deceased was not a patient, the next of kin will be asked to identify the patient and will be informed if a post mortem examination is going to take place as per legal requirements, dependent on the nature of the death.
Specific documents will be asked for, to allow you to take any personal possessions. Thereafter, you can contact a funeral director and they will guide you with the following steps.

Burial in the UK

If you are burying in the UK, you will be given a death certificate and a green burial certificate.
You will need to fax or send the green certificate to the funeral director, until then they cannot collect the deceased and organise everything.
Any family members that wish to attend the washing will be informed when this will take place.

The janazah prayer can be held at any mosque and the funeral director can book the cemetery that you prefer, at a date and time suitable to you. Transportation on the day of the funeral for the family can be arranged if required.

Repatriation

If the family wishes to repatriate the deceased relative to their country, we can assist with organising this, all necessary documentation and regulations for the coffin with the airlines will be met.

Our Services

We have all the equipment and dedicated staff required to provide a full service for men and women in a manner that complies with the Shari’ah.
Our standard service includes:

Additional Charges