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 Washington

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 Washington All listings in Washington
What Washington law says
Death certificate filing
The funeral director or the person with the right to control the disposition gets the report of death to the medical certifier within two calendar days, and a complete report must be filed with the local registrar within five calendar days after the death and before final disposition. Ask the funeral home to confirm when it has been filed. RCW 70.58A.200
Ordering death certificates
Certified death certificates come from the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, which holds records from July 1, 1907 to about two months before today. You will need valid ID and proof of your relationship to the person. Ask the funeral home how many certified copies you are likely to need before you order. Where to Write for Vital Records: Washington
Embalming and refrigeration
Washington requires funeral homes to refrigerate or embalm a body when they receive it, so embalming is not the only choice. Refrigeration can be paused so family can wash, pray over, sit with or view the body, for up to 24 hours at a time, and the local health officer can approve other delays in light of religious beliefs. Tell the funeral home your wishes when you make arrangements. WAC 246-500-030
Objecting to an autopsy
We found no Washington statute that lets a family refuse an autopsy for religious reasons, but when the coroner or medical examiner decides whether to keep custody of a body, the law requires them to consider the deceased's religious beliefs, if known, including tenets, customs and rites about death and burial. Tell the coroner or medical examiner's office about those beliefs as early as possible. RCW 68.50.050(2)
Small estates
If the person's estate is worth $100,000 or less after liens, a person holding the property or owing money to the estate can release it to the heir who presents a small estate affidavit, once 40 days have passed since the death and no personal representative has been appointed. Ask the court clerk or an attorney whether your situation qualifies. RCW 11.62.010

From official Washington 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 Washington. 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