Apologies for not posting for a few days. Sadly my family had a bereavement on Tuesday. My mum's sister Freda or better known as Ben fell at one of Aunt's houses - she was epileptic and our guess was she had a fit, fell unconscious hitting the ground and bled. Very sadly nobody was around at the time of the accident and she was only discovered more than an hour later by which time efforts to resuscitate her at the hospital failed.
Unlike funerals in the West which take place up to a week after death, in the muslim world and especially the tropics, it is custom that burials take place immediately. And unlike the West where undertakers and funeral homes arrange burials, here it is the responsibility of the family (with the help of mosque officials) to make sure that the loved one's remains are prepared for burial following Islamic customs which are strictly adhered to.
By that evening we buried my Aunt wrapped in the customary seven yards of white cloth and covered with the overpowering smell of camphor - coffins do not feature in muslim funerals either. The body is then technically planted into the ground, facing Mecca.
It all happens very quickly. Families often are not able to grieve until after the funeral. For us we mourn an aunt who though a bit quirky and unconventional will be missed by her sisters, nieces and nephews. Following tradition prayers are held every evening for the first 3 nights following the death and subsequently at 7th day, 40th day and 100th day. Al Fatihah.
3 comments:
My condolences. I had a hard time explaining our burial customs to my friends here. I think that way we Muslims do grieve a little bit differently, although any loss of the family is hard to take.
May she rest in peace.
Al-Fatihah.
Hi Cookie. I was trying to address that very issue. Life for us but others find very difficult to understand. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
Condolences and my love to you all xx
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