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The minimum that suffices for a grave is a pit that blocks odor and keeps predators away. It is recommended to widen it and dig it to the depth of a person’s height plus the span of his arms. When the ground is firm, a laḥd (side-niche) is preferable to a shaqq (central trench). The deceased’s head is placed at the foot end of the grave and he is slid in gently, head-first. Men lower the body, and those who had precedence in leading the funeral prayer take precedence here as well.

I add: if the deceased is a married woman, her husband has priority—Allah knows best. Let the bearers be an odd number. The body is laid in the laḥd on its right side facing the qiblah; his face is supported against the niche wall and his back with a brick or the like. The opening of the niche is sealed with bricks. Each person who is close at hand throws three handfuls of earth, after which the rest is filled in with shovels. The grave is raised only about a handspan, and the sounder opinion prefers that it be left level rather than mounded. Two bodies may not be buried in the same grave except out of necessity, in which case the more virtuous is placed first. It is forbidden to sit on a grave or walk over it. A visitor should stand as close to the grave as he would have stood to the deceased when the latter was alive. Offering condolences is a Sunnah: it may be done before burial and up to three days afterward.

When consoling a Muslim for a Muslim relative one says, “May Allah magnify your reward, perfect your consolation, and forgive your deceased.” If consoling him for a non-Muslim relative one says, “May Allah magnify your reward and grant you patience.” If consoling a non-Muslim for a Muslim relative one says, “May Allah forgive your deceased and perfect your consolation.” Weeping for the deceased is permissible both before and after death, but it is prohibited to wail by listing his qualities, to lament, or to show uncontrolled grief such as striking the chest and the like.

I add: these are scattered issues. One should hasten to settle the deceased’s debts and carry out his bequests. It is disliked to wish for death because of hardship unless one fears a trial in his religion. Seeking medical treatment is recommended, but forcing it on someone is disliked. The family and others may kiss the deceased’s face. There is no harm in announcing his death for the funeral prayer and similar purposes, unlike the pagan style of public lament. The person who washes the body should uncover only what necessity requires, excluding the private parts. If washing is impossible, tayammum is performed. A person who is in a state of major ritual impurity or menstruation may wash the deceased without dislike; and if such a person dies, one washing suffices. The washer must be trustworthy: if he observes something good he may mention it, but to mention anything else is forbidden.