Life Is Temporary A death has occurred

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إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ

Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn. Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return. Qurʾān, al-Baqarah 2:156

When a Muslim dies in New Jersey

You do not have to do this alone, or all at once. Your masjid has done this many times. Follow the steps in order, and open each one when you reach it.

Ink drawing of a folded white cloth on a wooden bench beside a sprig of red sidr leaves.

As soon as you can, call your masjid’s funeral committee.They will arrange the washing, the shroud, the prayer and the burial, and tell you which funeral home to use.

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What New Jersey law says
Death certificate filing
The doctor or medical examiner completes the death certification within 24 hours after death is pronounced, and the funeral director supplies the personal and burial details, all through the state electronic death registration system. Ask the funeral home to confirm the certificate has been filed. N.J.S.A. 26:6-8
Ordering death certificates
Death certificates are issued by the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, which takes orders online through VitalChek, by phone, or in person in Trenton; the local vital records office can also process requests. Ask the funeral home how many copies you may need. NJ Department of Health, Vital Statistics
Embalming and refrigeration
New Jersey does not require embalming except in certain special cases, and funeral homes may not tell you it is required for direct cremation, immediate burial, or a sealed casket. They must also not claim it is required when refrigeration is available and there is no viewing and a closed casket. Ask for the price list statement on embalming. N.J.A.C. 13:36-9.9
Small estates
When someone dies without a will, New Jersey has a simpler affidavit route instead of full administration: a surviving spouse, civil union partner or domestic partner can use it if the estate is $50,000 or less, and other heirs can use it if the estate is $20,000 or less and there is no surviving spouse or partner (with the other heirs' written consent). If there is a will, this route does not apply; ask the county Surrogate's Court which procedure fits. N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3 and 3B:10-4 (limits per P.L.2015, c.232)

From official New Jersey sources, checked October 2026. Laws change; your funeral home and an estate attorney can confirm them.

0 of 37 done

  1. Have the death pronounced

    In the first hour · 0 of 3

    A death has to be confirmed before anything else can happen.

  2. Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā

    In the first hour · at the same time as the step above · 0 of 4

    Gently and without hurry. Those present can do this while the calls are made.

  3. Call the masjid’s funeral committee

    In the first few hours · 0 of 3

    They arrange the washing, the shroud, the prayer and the burial, and usually know which funeral home to use.

  4. Ask whether a coroner is involvedPaperwork

    If the death was sudden · 0 of 3

    After an unexpected death a coroner or medical examiner may need to examine the body, which can delay burial.

  5. Choose a funeral home that allows ghuslPaperwork

    Within the first day · 0 of 3

    Many funeral homes work with Muslim committees. Your committee will usually name one.

  6. Wash and shroud the body

    Within the first day · at the same time as the step above · 0 of 2

    Done by trained Muslims of the same sex, or by the spouse. The committee usually provides the cloth.

    How the washing and shroud are done

  7. The janazah prayer and the burial

    As soon as possible · 0 of 3

    The prayer is often held after one of the daily prayers, and the burial follows straight after.

    How to pray the janazah prayer

  8. Get copies of the death certificatePaperwork

    In the first week · 0 of 2

    Banks, insurers, the DMV and government offices will each want a certified copy.

  9. Pay the funeral costs and list every debt

    In the first weeks · 0 of 3

    The funeral is paid from the estate first, then the debts. Nothing is inherited until both are settled.

  10. Find the will, and tell Social SecurityPaperwork

    In the first weeks · at the same time as the step above · 0 of 4

    The executor named in the will leads what follows.

  11. Settle and divide the estatePaperwork

    In the months after · 0 of 4

    Small estates may qualify for a simpler process in New Jersey. One call to a local estate attorney will tell you.

    See how the estate divides

  12. Look after the family

    Four months and ten days · 0 of 3

    Mourning is kept to three days, except by a widow, who mourns four months and ten days, the length of her ʿiddah, or until she gives birth if she is pregnant.

    What to say and do when you visit

General guidance, not a fatwa or legal advice. Rules on autopsies, embalming, burial permits and probate differ by state; your funeral home and a local estate attorney can confirm them. All sources