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 Texas

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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Who to call in Texas All listings in Texas
What Texas law says
Death certificate filing
The person in charge of the burial or removal of the body, usually the funeral director, files the death certificate electronically with the local registrar no later than the 10th day after the death. In some counties with a medical examiner, a family burying abroad for religious reasons can ask in writing for an expedited certificate, due within 48 hours unless an inquest is held. Ask the funeral home whether your county offers this. Tex. Health & Safety Code §§ 193.002, 193.0025, 193.003
Ordering death certificates
Death certificates can be ordered from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section, online, by mail, or in person, and many local vital records offices can also issue them. Death Records
Embalming and refrigeration
Texas law does not require embalming, and the funeral home must get your permission before embalming. A body held more than 24 hours must be embalmed, refrigerated, or placed in a sealed leak- and odor-proof container. Facts About Funerals consumer brochure (updated 2022)
Objecting to an autopsy
We found no Texas statute that lets a family refuse an autopsy on religious grounds; the justice of the peace or medical examiner decides whether one is needed. If one of them is involved, tell that office about your religious objection immediately. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. ch. 49 (inquests)
Small estates
If there is no will and the estate (not counting the homestead and exempt property) is worth $75,000 or less, heirs may be able to use a small estate affidavit approved by the court after 30 days have passed. Ask the probate court clerk in the county where the person lived. Tex. Estates Code § 205.001

From official Texas 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 Texas. 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