Three Questions Related to a Funeral
First Question: Should the deceased’s head or feet be placed towards the Qiblah before washing the body?
Answer: When a person is in the state of ‘Alam al-Niza’ (i.e., at the time of death), or after someone passes away, the body should be laid on its right side facing the Qiblah, or alternatively, the body may be laid flat so that the feet are directed towards the Ka’bah.
This is also the ruling in the Hanafi school. From this, it is clear that there is no harm in people sleeping with their feet facing the Qiblah.
It is important to note that turning the deceased’s face towards the Qiblah after death is not an obligatory act, and no authentic narration confirms this practice. However, there are some reports indicating this as a recommended practice (Mustahabb). If this is not done, there is no harm. Regarding the washing of the deceased, the body should be washed in the direction that makes it easier to wash, and there is no specific ruling on the direction for the washing.
Second Question: When the deceased is taken for burial, should the head face the Qiblah or the feet?
Answer: When the body is being carried for burial, the direction towards the Qiblah does not need to be considered, as the roads are not always straight. It is enough that the head of the deceased faces forward (towards the front), and the feet face backward.
When the body is placed for the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah), it should be laid in the position in which it will be buried, with the face towards the Qiblah so that the head faces the north and the feet face the south. The imam will stand at the head of a male body, and for a female body, the imam will stand in the middle.
Third Question: If it is difficult to lift or sit the deceased, should the body be left lying on the ground or placed on a bier (or any raised platform)?
Answer: People usually come to view the face of the deceased, and therefore, there is a benefit in placing the body on a bier or some raised platform for ease of viewing. However, whether the body is left lying on the ground or placed on a bier, there is no harm in either case.
Wallahu A’lamu Bil-Sawab (And Allah knows best).
(21.09.2022)