UAE Stories and Cultural Learning: Funerals
Burial and funeral rituals in the UAE are based on Islam, and Islam places a great importance on respecting the deceased. When a Muslim passes away, there are strict procedures that dictate how the body should be buried. Rituals are fairly simple; burials are done at the soonest time possible and preferably within one day. Following Islamic principles, no cremation or ashes dispersion is contemplated.
Soon after the death, the ghasl al mayyit takes place: The entire body is washed with water and cleaned. Three ablutions are performed:
The first with water mixed with sidr al barri leaves; the second with water mixed with camphor; and the third with pure water only. Then the body is dried, perfumed and, finally, wrapped in clean white sheets, called kafan.
After the washing ceremony, the body is carried to salat al janazah, or the funeral, where the ritual prayer is performed. This prayer is different from the daily prayers as there’s no prostration. The last trip heads to the cemetery for the dafn, or burial. The deceased is carried on the shoulders to the grave buried in a hole, leaning to the right side and facing the direction of the Qiblah, which is in Mecca and, finally covered with a layer of rock tiles and soil.
In the UAE, funerals are segregated; even though there are only women in the ceremony room, many of them, as a sign of respect, keep their abayas on. Men accompany the body to the grave site and, only when the burial is finished, women can visit it. Non-Muslim can take part in funeral ceremonies but they cannot perform the prayers.
During the condolence ceremonies, the Quran is read for the soul of the deceased. Islamic beliefs about the afterlife are very important.
Muslim believe in the continued existence of the soul after death. Offering condolences means sharing in the grief; the condolence period lasts for three days during which family and friends offer their support in two separate sections, one for females and one for males.
