Tuesday 24 December 2019

Funeral - Burial - Death







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  Namaz-e-Wahshat: You're Doing it Wrong; Relationship with the Deceased - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi




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Few Extracts :

http://www.al-shia.org/html/eng/books/fiqh&usool/islamic-laws/tahrir/08.html#link12

Rules Concerning the Two Palm Branches

It is among the emphatically recommended things to place two fresh branches with the irrespective of his being an adult or a minor, male or female. Placing them with a child is with the intention of hope (that it would be agreeable to Allah). It is most preferable that the two branches must be of a palm tree, in case they are not available, then of a lotus tree; otherwise, of a willow (tree), a pomegranate (tree), or any fresh tree. It is better that each of them should be equal to the arm bone in length, though the most permissible being at least of the span of the hand and at the most a cubit long. It is better to place one of them on his right side near his collar bone, sticking to his skin, and the other on the left side, close to the collar bone reaching above the shirt upto the covering sheet. 

Fifteenth, water should be sprinkled on the grave, and it is better that it should be done with the face towards the Qiblah, beginning the sprinkling from the side of the head upto the feet, and then make a round of the grave and end up on the side of the head, and sprinkle the remaining water on the middle of the grave.


(B- The Undesirable Things)
As regards the undesirable things in respect of burying the dead, they are as follows:
First, it is undesirable to bury two dead bodies in a single grave, as also placing two of them in a single bier.

Recommended Acts of Burial

Issue 635: It is Mustahab that the depth of the grave should be approximately equal to the size of an average person and the dead body be buried in the nearest graveyard, except when the graveyard which is situated farther is better due to some reasons, like if pious persons are buried there or people go there in large number forFateha.
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Extract from above
TADFEEN 
Burial 
It is wajib kifaii to bury the mayyit of a Muslim. 

It is mustahab that 4 people place the 4 corners of 
the janaza on their shoulders whist carrying it to 
the graveyard. 
It is also mustahab to start carrying the janaza 
from the side where the right shoulder of the 
mayyit lies and to continue in an anti-clock wise 
direction. 
The bearers should not move across the front of 
the janaza or underneath it. 

“Who so ever escorts a janaza of a 
Muslim is forgiven his/her sins and 
becomes void of sins as a newly born 
child.” Imam Ali Ridha (pbuh)
It is wajib: 
That the mayyit be buried in a deep enough grave 
so that no smell could spread and no animal could 
dig it out. 
That the mayyit must be placed in the grave such 
that its right side touches the ground and the 
whole front part of the mayyit faces qibla. 

It is mustahab that the depth of the grave be 
equal to the height of an average person. (approx. 
5’6”) 



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It is also recommended that the coffin is placed on the ground a few yards away from the grave and then taken to the grave by halting three times briefly. It should be placed on the ground every time and then lifted before finally it is lowered into the grave at the 4th time. And if the dead body is of a male, it should be placed on the ground at the 3rd time in such a manner that its head should be towards the lower side of the grave and at the 4th time it should be lowered into the grave from the side of its head. And if the dead body is of a female it should be placed on the ground at the 3rd time towards the Qibla and should be lowered into the grave sidewise and a cloth should be spread over the grave while lowering it.


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The Talking Dead; Talqin in the Grave: Listen and Understand - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKA58fMD9z8




  1. ETIQUETTE OF FUNERALS

    ... the grave (qira'a `ala al-qabr);. b) donation of the reward of Qur'an-recital to the dead (ihda' al-thawab);. c) instructing the dead after burial (talqin al-mayyit).



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Dua'a by 40 Momineen /Witness Document( shahdatnama)


http://www.duas.org/WitnessCard.jpg

http://www.duas.org/deathbaqsal.htm#e_document-paper

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PDF file attached . To facilitate  printing
Also

Power point Presentation
  Madressa.net
:



















Comprehensive books :








New. Useful. Use with a mobile. GPS - Location  should be enabled


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More Qibla Locator 
Use the  
"
Satellite
map on top right hand side as it allows you to zoom in closely.





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Inna li llahi wa-inna ilay-hi rajiun
 
Here is a video of final part showing burial procedure. Watch latter part. starting at 2.30 mins.
 
 

 


 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 




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The Reward for making a dying Person face towards the Qibla
 
Zaid ibn ' Ali relates from his father that Amir al-Mu'minin ( Peace be upon him ) said,  " The Prophet  ( Peace be upon him and his family ) visited one of the descendants of 'Abd al-Muttalib who was on his deathbed and was not facing Qibla,  He  ( Peace be upon him and his family ) said,  ' Make this man face towards the Qibla, because if you do this, then the Angels will turn their attention towards him and Allah (swt) (too ) will turn His attention to him until he leaves this world' "  ( Thawab al-A'mal, Page 433)
 
 
The Reward for reciting the Shahadat to the Dying Person
 
1. Ishaq  ' Ammar relating from as-Sadiq Jafar ibn Muhammad  ( Peace be upon him ) from his father from his forefather  ( Peace beupon all of them )   relats that the Messenger of Allah  ( peace be upon him  and his family  ) said , ' At the time of death, one should recite 
( Laa Ilaaha Illallaah )   to the dying person , since whoever's last words are  ( Laa Ilaaha Illallah ) will go to Paradise ' "  ( Thawab al- A'mal, Page 434 )
 
 
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His Supplication when Death was Mentioned

His Supplication when Someone's Death was Announced to him or when he Remembered Death


1O God,
          Bless Muhammad and his Household,
          spare us drawn out expectations
                    and cut them short in us through sincerity of works,
          that we may not hope expectantly for
                    completing an hour after an hour,
                    closing a day after a day,
                    joining a breath to a breath,
                    or overtaking a step with a step!
2          Keep us safe from the delusions of expectations,
                    make us secure from their evils,
                    set up death before us in display.
                    and let not our remembering of it come and go!
3           Appoint for us from among the righteous works a work
                    through which we will feel the homecoming to Thee as slow
                              and crave a quick joining with Thee,
                    so that death may be
                              our intimate abode with which we are intimate,
                              our familiar place toward which we yearn,
                              and our next of kin whose coming we love!
4           When Thou bringest it to us
                    and sendest it down upon us,
          make us happy with it as a visitor,
                    comfort us with its arrival,
                    make us not wretched through entertaining it,
                    degrade us not through its visit,
                    and appoint it one of the gates to Thy forgiveness
                              and the keys to Thy mercy!
5          Make us die
                    guided, not astray,
                    obedient, not averse,
                    repentant, not disobedient or persisting,
          O He who guarantees the repayment of the good-doers
                    and seeks to set right the work of the corrupt!



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Recommended Acts of Burial
 
Refer here as well
 
 
 
 
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RECOMMENDED ACTS OF BURIAL


RECOMMENDED ACTS OF BURIAL

635. 
It is recommended that the grave should be approximately equal to the size of an average person and the dead body should be buried in the nearest graveyard, except when the graveyard which is situated at a longer distance is better on some account e.g. when pious persons are buried there or people go there in large number to pay homage and recite supplications (Fatiha).
 
 It is also recommended tha before burying the dead body it should be placed a few yards away from the grave and moved to the grave halting slowly thrice.
 
It should be placed on the ground every time and lowered into the grave at the 4th time.
 
And in case the dead body is of a man it should be placed on the ground at the 3rd time in such a manner that its head should be towards the lower side of the grave and at the 4th time it should be lowered into the grave from the side of its head.
 
And in case the dead body is of a woman it should be placed on the ground at the 3rd time towards the Qibla and should be lowered into the grave breadthwise and a cloth should be spread over the grave while lowering it.
 
 It is also recommended that the dead body should be taken out of the coffin and lowered into the grave very gently and the prescribed supplications should be recited before and after burying the dead body; and after the dead body has been lowered into the grave the ties of its shroud should be unfastened and its cheek should be placed on the earth and an earthen pillow should be placed under its head and some unbaked bricks or lumps of clay should be placed behind its back so that the dead body may not lie flat on its back.
 
Before closing the grave the person reciting the talqin (prescribed recitals) to the dead should catch hold with his right hand the right shoulder of the dead body and should place his left hand tightly on its left shoulder and take his mouth near its ear and shaking its shoulders should say thrice: Isma'ifham ya. . . . . . here the name of the dead person and his father should be called. For example, if the name of the dead person is Muhammad and his father's name is Ali it should be said thrice: Isma'ifham ya Muhammad bin Ali. And then he should say: Hal anta 'alal 'ahdil lazi farqtana 'alayhi min shahadati an la ilaha illal lahu wahdahu la sharika lah wa anna Muhammadan sallal lahu'alayhi wa Alihi'abduhu wa Rasuluhu wa sayyidun nabiyyina wa khatamul mursalina wa anna'Aliyyan Amirul muminina wa sayyidul wasiyyina wa imamu nif tarazallahu ta'tahu alal alamina wa annal Hasana wal Husayna wa 'Aliyyabnal Husayni wa Muhammadabna 'Aliyyin wa Jafarabna Muhammadin wa Musabna Ja'farin wa'Aliyyabna Musa wa Muhammadabna'Aliyyin wa'Aliyyabna Muhammadin wal Hasanabna'Aliyyin wal Qa'imal hujjatal Mahdi salawalullahi alayhim a'immatul mu minina wa hujajullahi alal khalqi ajma'ina wa a'immalaka a'immatu hudan bika abrar ya. . . . . . (here the name of the dead person and his father should be called) and then the following words should be said:Iza atakal malakanil muqarrabani Rasulayni min indillahi tabaraka wa ta'ala wa saalaka'an Rabbika wa an Nabiyyika wa'an dinika wa an Kitabika wa an Qiblatika wa'an A i'mmatika fala takhaf wa la tahzan wa,qul fi jawabi hima, Allahu Rabbi wa Muhammadun sallal lahu alayhi wa Alihi nabiyyi wal Islamu dini wal Quranu kitabi wal Ka'batu Qiblati wa Amirul mu'minina 'Aliyyubnu Abi Talib Imami wal Hasanubnu'Aliyyi nil Mujtaba Imami wal Husaynubnu 'Aliyyi nuh-shahidu bi-Karbala imami wa'Aliyyun zaynul'Abidina imami wa Muhammadu nil Baqiru Imami wa Ja'faru nis Sadiqu imami wa Musal Kazimu imami wa 'Aliyyu-nir Riza imami wa Muhammadu nil Jawadu imami wa aliyyu nil Hadi imami wal Hasanul askari imami wal Hujjatul muntazar imami ha ulai' salawatullahi 'alayhim ajma'in A'immati wa sadati wa qadati wa shufa-a'i bihim atawalla wa min a'dai'him atabarra'u fid dunya wal akhirati thumma i'lam ya . . . . . here the name of the dead person and his father should be called and thereafter it should be said. Annal laha tabaraka wa ta'ala nimar-Rabb wa anna Muhammadan sallal lahu 'alayhi wa Alihi nimar Rasul wa anna 'Aliyyabna Abl Talib wa awladahul ma suminal A'i'mmatal ithna asharah nimal A'immah wa anna ma ja'a bihi Muhammadun sallal lahu 'alayhi wa Alihi haqqun wa annal mawta haqqun wa suwala munkarin wa nakirin fil qabri haqqun wal ba'tha haqqun wan nushura haqqun wassirata haqqun wal mizana haqqun wa tatayiral kutubi haqqun'wa annal jnnnnta haqqun wan-nara haqqun wa annas sa'ata a'tiyata la rayba fiha wa annallaha yab'athu man fil qubur. Then the following words should be said: Afahimta ya. .. (here the name of the dead person should be called) and there- after the following should be said: Thabbatakallahu bil qawlith thabit wa hadakallahu ila siratim mustaqim'arrafallahu baynaka wa bayna awliyal'ka fi mustaqarrim min rahmatihi. Then the following words should be uttered: Alla humma jafil arza an jambayhi vas'ad biruhihi ilayaka wa laqqihi minka burhaha Alla humma'afwaka'afwaka.

636. It is recommended that the person who lowers the dead body in the grave should be clean, bare-headed and bare-footed and he should come out of the grave from the side of the feet of the dead body. Furthermore, persons, other than the near relatives of the dead person, should put the dust into the grave with the back side of their hands and recite the following: Inna lillahi wa innailayhi raji'un. If the dead person is a woman, her mahram and in the absence of a mahram one of her kinsmen should lower her in the grave.

637. It Is recommended that the grave should be square or rectangular in shape and should be higher than the ground to the extent of about four fingers' breadth, and a sign should be fixed on it for purposes of identification and water should also be sprinkled on it, and then those present should place their hands on the grave and part their fingers and thrust them into earth and recite Surah al-Qadr 7 times and pray for the salvation of the departed soul and say: Alla humma jafil arza an jambayhi vas'ad ilayka ruhahu wa laqqihi minka rizwana wa askin qabrahu min rahmatika ma tughnihi bihi an rahmati min siwaka.

638. It is recommended that when the persons who escorted the funeral have departed, the guardian of the dead person or the person whom the guardian grants permission should recite the above prescribed supplications for the dead person.

639. It Is recommended that after the dead person has been buried the people should condole with the near one upon death of that person.
 
In case, however, so much time has passed since his death that condolence Is likely to refresh their bereavement it Is better not to condole with them.
 
It Is also recommended that food should be sent for the members of the family of the deceased for 3 days. It Is, however, abominable for one to take meal in their presence or in their house.

640. It Is also recommended that a person should observe patience on the death of his near ones and especially on the death of his son and, whenever the memory of the departed soul crosses his mind, he should say: Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un and should recite the holy Qur'an for the sake of the dead person.
 
A man should visit the graves of his parents and pray there for the blessings of Allah for himself and should make the grave solid so that it may not be demolished soon.

641. It is not permissible to scratch one's face or body or slap or torture oneself on the death of anyone.

642. It is not permissible to tear one's collar on the death of anyone except one's father and brother and the obligatory precaution is that one should not tear one's collar on their death.

643. If a woman who is mourning the death of a person scratches her face and makes blood come out of it or pulls her hair, she should, on the basis of recommended precaution, set a slave free, or feed ten indigent persons, or provide them dress. And the same orders apply when a man tears his collar or dress on the death of his wife or child.

644. The obligatory precaution is that while weeping over the death of any person one's voice should not be too loud.
 
 
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Islamic Laws - ShiaMasjid.com
Rules About Burial of the Dead Body

620. It is obligatory to bury a dead body in the ground, so deep that its smell does not come out and the beasts of prey do not dig it out, and, if there is a danger of such beasts digging it out then the grave should be made solid with bricks, etc.
 
621. If it is not possible to bury a dead body in the ground, it may be kept in a vault or a coffin, instead.
 
622. The dead body should be laid in the grave on its right side so that the face remains towards the Qibla.
 
623. If a person dies on a ship and if there is no fear of the decay of the dead body and if there is no problem in retaining it for sometime on the ship, it should be kept on it and buried in the ground after reaching the land. Otherwise, after giving Ghusl, Hunut, Kafan and Namaz-e-Mayyit it should be lowered into the sea in a vessel of clay or with a weight tied to its feet. And as far as possible it should not be lowered at a point where it is eaten up immediately by the sea predators.
 
624. If it is feared that an enemy may dig up the grave and exhume the dead body and amputate its ears or nose or other limbs, it should be lowered into sea, if possible, as stated in the foregoing rule.
625. The expenses of lowering the dead body into the sea, or making the grave solid on the ground can be deducted from the estate of the deceased, if necessary.
 
626. If a non-Muslim woman dies with a dead child, or soulless foetus in her womb, and if the father is a Muslim then the woman should be laid in the grave on her left side with her back towards Qibla, so that the face of the child is towards Qibla.
 
627. It is not permitted to bury a Muslim in the graveyard of the non-Muslims, nor to bury a non-Muslim in the graveyard of the Muslims.
 
628. It is also not permissible to bury the dead body of a Muslim at a place which is disrespectful, like places where garbage is thrown.
 
629. It is not permissible to bury a dead body in a usurped place nor in a place which is dedicated for purposes other than burial (e.g. in a Masjid).
 
630. It is not permissible to dig up a grave for the purpose of burying another dead body in it, unless one is sure that the grave is very old and the former body has been totally disintegrated.
 
631. Anything which is separated from the dead body (even its hair, nail or tooth) should be buried along with it. And if any part of the body, including hair, nails or teeth are found after the body has been buried, they should be buried at a separate place, as per obligatory precaution. And it is Mustahab that nails and teeth cut off or extracted during lifetime are also buried.
 
632. If a person dies in a well and it is not possible to take him out, the well should be sealed, and the well should be treated as his grave.
 
633. If a child dies in its mother's womb and its remaining in the womb is dangerous for the mother, it should be brought out in the easiest possible way. If it becomes inevitable to cut it into pieces there is no objection in doing so. It is, however, better that if the husband of the woman is skilled in surgery the dead body of the child should be taken out by him, and failing that, the job should be performed by a skilled woman.

And if that is not available, a skilled surgeon who is the mahram (one with whom marriage cannot be contracted) of the woman should do it. And if even that is not available a skilled man who is not mahram (one with whom marriage can be contracted) should remove the dead child. And if even such a person is not available the dead body can be brought out by any unskilled person.
634. If a woman dies and there is a living child in her womb, it should be brought out in the safest possible way, even if there be no hope for the child's survival. The body of the mother should then be sewn up.
 
Mustahab acts of Dafn ---  Burial
 
635. It is Mustahab that the depth of the grave should be approximately equal to the size of an average person and the dead body be buried in the nearest graveyard, except when the graveyard which is situated farther is better due to some reasons, like if pious persons are buried there or people go there in large number for Fateha.

It is also recommended that the coffin is placed on the ground a few yards away from the grave and then taken to the grave by halting three times briefly. It should be placed on the ground every time and then lifted before finally it is lowered into the grave at the 4th time.

And if the dead body is of a male, it should be placed on the ground at the 3rd time in such a manner that its head should be towards the lower side of the grave and at the 4th time it should be lowered into the grave from the side of its head.

And if the dead body is of a female it should be placed on the ground at the 3rd time towards the Qibla and should be lowered into the grave sidewise and a cloth should be spread over the grave while lowering it. It is also Mustahab that the dead body should be taken out of the coffin and lowered into the grave very gently, and the prescribed supplications should be recited before and during burying the dead body; and after the dead body has been lowered into the niche, the ties of its shroud should be unfastened and its cheek should be placed on earth, and an earthen pillow should be done up under its head and some unbacked bricks or lumps of clay should be placed behind its back so that the dead body may not return flat on its back.

Before closing the niche, the person reciting the talqin should hold with his right hand the right shoulder of the dead body and should place his left hand tightly on its left shoulder and take his mouth near its ear and shaking its shoulders should say thrice: Isma' ifham ya .......here the name of the dead person and his father should be called.

For example, if the name of the dead person is Muhammad and his father's name 'Ali it should be said thrice: Isma 'ifham ya Muhammad bin 'Ali. And then he should say: Hal anta 'alal 'ahdil lazi farqtana 'alayhi min shahadati an la ilaha illal lahu wahdahu la sharika lah wa anna Muhammadan sallal lahu 'alayhi wa Alihi 'abduhu wa Rasuluhu wa sayyidun nabiyyina wa khatamul mursalina wa anna 'Aliyyan Amirul mu'minina wa sayyidul wasiyyina wa imamu nif tarazallahu ta'tahu 'alal 'alamina wa annal Hasana wal Husayna wa 'Aliyyabnal Husayni wa Muhammadabna 'Aliyyin wa Ja'farabna Muhammadin wa Musabna Ja'farin wa 'Aliyyabna Musa wa Muhammadabna'Aliyyin wa 'Aliyyabna Muhammadin wal Hasanabna 'Aliyyin wal Qa'imal hujjatal Mahdi salawatullahi 'alayhim a'i'mmatul mu'minina wa hujajullahi'alal khalqi ajma'ina wa a'immatuka a'immatu hudan abrar ya ........(here the name of the dead person and his father should be called) and then the following words should be said:
Iza atakal malakanil muqarraabani Rasulayni min 'indillahi tabaraka wa ta'ala wa sa'alaka 'an Rabbika wa 'an Nabiyyika wa 'an dinika wa 'an Kitabika wa 'an Qiblatika wa 'an A'immatika fala takhaf wa la tahzan wa'qul fi jawabi hima, Allahu Rabbi wa Muhammadun sallal lahu 'alayhi wa Alihi nabiyyi wal Islamu dini wal Qur'anu kitabi wal Ka'batu Qiblati wa Amirul mu'minina 'Aliyybnu Abi Talib imami wal Hasanubnu 'Aliyyi nil Mujtaba imami wal Husaynubnu 'Aliyyi nish-shahidu bi-Karbala imami wa 'Aliyyun Zaynul 'Abidina imami wa Muhammadu nil Baqiru imami wa Ja'faru nis Sadiqu imami wa Musal Kazimu imami wa 'Aliyyu-nir Riza imami wa Muhammadu nil Jawadu imami wa 'Aliyyu nil Hadi imami wal Hasanul 'askari imami wal Hujjatul muntazar imami ha ula'i salawatullahi 'alayhim ajma'in A'i'mmati wa sadati wa qadati wa shufa-a'i bihim atawalla wa min a'daihim atabarra'u fid dunya wal akhirati thumma i'lam ya ....... here the name of the dead person and his father should be called and thereafter it should be said: Annal laha tabaraka wa ta'ala ni'mar-Rabb wa anna Muhammadan sallal lahu 'alayhi wa Alihi ni'mar Rasul wa anna 'Aliyyabna Abi Talib wa awladahul ma'suminal A'i'mmatal ithna 'asharah ni'mal A'i'mmah wa anna ma ja'a bihi Muhammadun sallal lahu 'alayhi wa Alihi haqqun wa annal mawta haqqun wa suwala munkarin wa nakirin fil qabri haqqun wal ba'tha haqqun wan nushura haqqun wassirata haqqun wal mizana haqqun wa tatayiral kutubi haqqun wa annal jannata haqqun wan-nara haqqun wa annas sa'ata a'tiyatun la rayba fiha wa annallaha yab'athu man fil qubur.

Then the following words should be said: Afahimta ya .... (here the name of the dead person should be called) and thereafter the following should be said: Thabbatakallahu bil qawlith thabit wa hadakallahu ila siratim mustaqim 'arrafallahu baynaka wa bayna awliya'ika fi mustaqarrim min rahmatih. Then the following words should be uttered: Alla humma jafil arza 'an jambayhi vas'ad biruhihi ilayka wa laqqihi minka burhana Alla humma 'afwaka 'afwaka.
636. It is recommended that the person who lowers the dead body in the grave should be Pak, bare-headed and bare-footed and he should climb out of the grave from the feet side.Moreover, persons, other than the near relatives of the deceased, should put the dust into the grave with the back side of their hands and recite the following: Inna lillahi wa innailayhi raji'un. If the dead person is a woman, her mahram and in the absence of a mahram her kinsmen should lower her in the grave.
 
637. It is Mustahab that the grave be square or rectangular in shape and its height equal to four fingers' span. A sign should be fixed on it for the purpose of identification and water should be poured on it, and then those present should place their hands on the grave parting their fingers and thrusting them into earth.

Then recite Surah al-Qadr 7 times and pray for the forgiveness of the departed soul and say: Alla humma jafil arza 'an jam bayhi wa as'idilayka ruhahu wa laqqihi minka rizwana wa askin qabrahu min rahmatika ma tughneehi bihi 'an rahmati man siwaka.
 
638. It is Mustahab that when the persons who attended the funeral have departed, the guardian of the dead person or the person whom the guardian grants permission should recite the prescribed supplications for the dead person.
 
639. It is Mustahab that after the burial, the bereaved family is consoled, praying for their well being. However, if the condolence is given long after the event, and if it serves to refresh the sorrowful memories, then it should be avoided.
It is Mustahab that food be sent to the members of the family of the deceased for 3 days. It is, however, Makrooh to take meal with them in their homes.
 
640. It is also Mustahab that a person should observe patience on the death of his near ones, especially on the death of his son, and, whenever the memory of the departed soul crosses his mind, he should say: Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un and should recite the holy Qur'an for the sake of the departed.
A man should visit the graves of his parents and pray there for the blessings of Allah for himself and should make the grave solid so that it may not be easily ruined.
 
641. As a matter of precaution, one should refrain from scratching one's face or body, or uprooting one's hair to display the grief. However, slapping one's head or face is permitted.
 
642. It is not permissible to tear one's clothes on the death of anyone except on the death of one's father and brother, though the recommended precaution is that one should not tear one's clothes on their death also.
643. If a wife mourning the death of a husband scratches her face causing blood to come out, or pulls her hair, she should, on the basis of recommended precaution, set a slave free, or feed ten poor, or provide them dress. And the same applies when a man tears his clothes on thedeath of his wife or son.

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http://www.al-shia.org/html/eng/books/fiqh&usool/islamic-laws/tahrir/08.html#link12

Rules Concerning the Two Palm Branches

It is among the emphatically recommended things to place two fresh branches with the irrespective of his being an adult or a minor, male or female. Placing them with a child is with the intention of hope (that it would be agreeable to Allah). It is most preferable that the two branches must be of a palm tree, in case they are not available, then of a lotus tree; otherwise, of a willow (tree), a pomegranate (tree), or any fresh tree. It is better that each of them should be equal to the arm bone in length, though the most permissible being at least of the span of the hand and at the most a cubit long. It is better to place one of them on his right side near his collar bone, sticking to his skin, and the other on the left side, close to the collar bone reaching above the shirt upto the covering sheet. 

Fifteenth, water should be sprinkled on the grave, and it is better that it should be done with the face towards the Qiblah, beginning the sprinkling from the side of the head upto the feet, and then make a round of the grave and end up on the side of the head, and sprinkle the remaining water on the middle of the grave.


(B- The Undesirable Things)
As regards the undesirable things in respect of burying the dead, they are as follows:
First, it is undesirable to bury two dead bodies in a single grave, as also placing two of them in a single bier.

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Please check with local council for their regulations.

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http://www.najaf.org/english/book/1/inside/77.htm

Exhumation
648. It is haraam to open the grave of a Muslim even if it belongs to a child or an insane person. However, there is no objection in doing so if the dead body has decayed and turned into dust.
649. Digging up or destroying the graves of the descendants of Imams, the martyrs, the Ulama and the pious persons is Haraam, even if they are very old, because it amounts to desecration.
650. Digging up the grave is allowed in the following cases:
  • When the dead body has been buried in an usurped land and the owner of the land is not willing to let it remain there.
  • When the Kafan of the dead body or any other thing buried with it had been usurped and the owner of the thing in question is not willing to let it remain in the grave. Similarly, if anything belonging to the heirs has been buried along with the deceased and the heirs are not willing to let it remain in the grave.
    However, if the dead person had made a will that a certain supplication or the holy Qur'an or a ring be buried along with his dead body, and if that will is valid, then the grave cannot be opened up to bring those articles out. There are certain situations when the exhuming is not permitted even if the land, the Kafan or the articles buried with the corpse are Ghasbi. But there is no room for details here.
  • When opening the grave does not amount to disrespect of the dead person, and it transpires that he was buried without Ghusl or Kafan, or the Ghusl was void, or he was not given Kafan according to religious rules, or was not laid in the grave facing the Qibla.
  • When it is necessary to inspect the body of the dead person to establish a right which is more important than exhumation.
  • When the dead body of a Muslim has been buried at a place which is against sanctity, like, when it has been buried in the graveyard of non-Muslim or at a place of garbage.
  • When the grave is opened up for a legal purpose which is more important than exhumation. For example, when it is proposed to take out a living child from the womb of a buried woman.
  • When it is feared that a wild beast would tear up the corpse or it will be carried away by flood or exhumed by the enemy.
  • When the deceased has willed that his body be transferred to sacred places before burial, and if it was intentionally or forgetfully buried elsewhere, then the body can be exhumed, provided that doing so does not result in any disrespect to the deceased.