Funeral Process for infectious Jazana
Muslim Funeral Services has procedures in place when dealing with a potentially infectious and contagious Janazas.
Alhamdulillah the hospital or mortuary releasing a Janaza usually advises us that there is a potential risk of infection at the time of us collecting a janaza. For privacy reasons the details are not provided. This information is shared with our team and additional measures are taken at the time of the ghusl and burial.
We have always been cognisant that some viruses (HIV and Hepatitis) can be present and potentially spread after death. These have been instances where extra protection has been implemented.
Deceased who have received radio-iodine treatment in the preceding week, should be handled with caution.
Radio-iodine leaves your body primarily through your urine, but very small amounts can be found in your saliva, sweat and bowel movements. Radiation exposure can be reduced by maintaining a reasonable distance between yourself and the janaza and minimising the time spent between the treated Janaza and our ghusl team. Sisters who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should not perform Ghusl of a patient who has been treated with radio-iodine, during the preceding week before death occurs.
In late 2019, Corona Virus (Covid-19) was the added to this list of contagious and infectious conditions. This virus has resulted in the worldwide pandemic and policies are being updated accordingly to minimise risk to our team and the wider community. At this stage we have been informed that the risk of transmission after death (post-mortem) is at least 2 days.
The information on this page is to deal with any potentially infectious janaza. Covid-19 Janaza will be dealt with in particular as discussed below.
Please watch the video lower by Sh Yasir Qadhi which provides an excellent synopsis of the Fiqh of Ghusl, Kaffan and Janaza Salah.
Alhamdulillah the hospital or mortuary releasing a Janaza usually advises us that there is a potential risk of infection at the time of us collecting a janaza. For privacy reasons the details are not provided. This information is shared with our team and additional measures are taken at the time of the ghusl and burial.
We have always been cognisant that some viruses (HIV and Hepatitis) can be present and potentially spread after death. These have been instances where extra protection has been implemented.
Deceased who have received radio-iodine treatment in the preceding week, should be handled with caution.
Radio-iodine leaves your body primarily through your urine, but very small amounts can be found in your saliva, sweat and bowel movements. Radiation exposure can be reduced by maintaining a reasonable distance between yourself and the janaza and minimising the time spent between the treated Janaza and our ghusl team. Sisters who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should not perform Ghusl of a patient who has been treated with radio-iodine, during the preceding week before death occurs.
In late 2019, Corona Virus (Covid-19) was the added to this list of contagious and infectious conditions. This virus has resulted in the worldwide pandemic and policies are being updated accordingly to minimise risk to our team and the wider community. At this stage we have been informed that the risk of transmission after death (post-mortem) is at least 2 days.
The information on this page is to deal with any potentially infectious janaza. Covid-19 Janaza will be dealt with in particular as discussed below.
Please watch the video lower by Sh Yasir Qadhi which provides an excellent synopsis of the Fiqh of Ghusl, Kaffan and Janaza Salah.
Covid-19 FUNERAL Guidelines UPDATED 06/04/2020:
Burial arrangements for any patient who has passed away due to Corona Virus infection (Covid-19), will be in accordance with guidelines from Queensland Health and State & Federal Government regulations. These guidelines are evolving and will be updated often.
There are several views and opinions on the burial around the world, and opinions may vary between different organisations and Ulema.
Opinions to consider:
Muslim Funeral Services is taking the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect each other, while still honoring and respecting the deceased, Muslim Funeral Services will be implementing the following effective immediately.
We fully understand how difficult a time this is, and pray that Allah SWT give the family lots of Sabr and grant the deceased Jannah. Ameen.
Policy & Procedure adopted by MFS for Covid-19:
An SMS of the Janaza will be sent out without burial time details
Repatriating Overseas - Due to the risk of spreading infection and international flight and border control restrictions, this option will not apply under any circumstances.
We understand that these are difficult times and these measures may pose inconvenience and your co-operation and understanding is appreciated.
Please continue to do your prayers at your homes and make Dua in seeking the refuge of Allah SWT.
As Muslims, we should do our utmost best to reduce the spread of this deadly virus. Insha Allah we will get through these difficult times together and make Dua to Allah SWT for a speedy end to this pandemic, and to make it easy for all of us.
These are rapidly changing times and guidelines will evolve as we go through this pandemic.
We will also have to prepare ourselves for when deaths at occur at home, where the death may be due to other medical causes but the deceased is Covid-19 positive. The policy and procedure adopted will be similar to above.
There are several views and opinions on the burial around the world, and opinions may vary between different organisations and Ulema.
Opinions to consider:
- A person who passes away as a result of a plague is considered to be Shaheed, so the Ghusl or shrouding do not need to take place. This is an accepted view in all communities around the world.
- There is a risk of spread of the virus from the deceased janaza to anyone who has contact after death as well, albeit small, it still puts everyone at risk. This includes the family, the volunteer team, our directors, and all their respective families.
- The Ghusl has taken place in some instances only in other countries. It is essential that if this happens then there must be full Personal protective equipment and must include the "donning on and doffing off" process by trained personnel. This does not mean that there absolutely no risk but that it reduces the risks.The level of PPE expected is not available to us or by any of the other Muslim Funeral services around Australia.
Muslim Funeral Services is taking the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect each other, while still honoring and respecting the deceased, Muslim Funeral Services will be implementing the following effective immediately.
We fully understand how difficult a time this is, and pray that Allah SWT give the family lots of Sabr and grant the deceased Jannah. Ameen.
Policy & Procedure adopted by MFS for Covid-19:
- Funeral arrangements - we request only two family members including the the legal authorised next of kin, are to meet with the MFS team for the initial in-person funeral arrangements.
- We will need to establish that all the necessary release forms from the Hospital or mortuary are available and complete.
- Once the family and next of kin have met with the team and fully understand all the policies and protocols in place, then only the arrangements will be finalised, including the grave booking.
- The janaza will be picked up from the Mortuary.
- The State Forensic Services in Brisbane has restricted the pick up times for the Janaza to a specific time once a day only as of 06/04/2020.
- The Janaza will be released by the Hospital or Mortuary in a sealed double plastic bag.
- The sealed bag will not be opened.
- Unfortunately there will no ghusl or kaffan wrapped.
- Please understand that there is no harm or lesser respect to the Janaza in terms of the Islamic rites for the Janaza with this change and all the Ulema are in agreement. Allah SWT has granted the deceased the status of being Shaheed.
- There will be a no touch policy adopted.
- Unfortunately this will mean no viewing.
- The Janaza will be placed in a coffin and sealed.
- At the cemetery the Janaza Salah will be performed with no more than 10 mourners attending.
- The coffin will be gently lowered into the grave.
- Neither the family or the funeral director will enter the grave.
- The Council excavator will fill the sand into the grave.
An SMS of the Janaza will be sent out without burial time details
Repatriating Overseas - Due to the risk of spreading infection and international flight and border control restrictions, this option will not apply under any circumstances.
We understand that these are difficult times and these measures may pose inconvenience and your co-operation and understanding is appreciated.
Please continue to do your prayers at your homes and make Dua in seeking the refuge of Allah SWT.
As Muslims, we should do our utmost best to reduce the spread of this deadly virus. Insha Allah we will get through these difficult times together and make Dua to Allah SWT for a speedy end to this pandemic, and to make it easy for all of us.
These are rapidly changing times and guidelines will evolve as we go through this pandemic.
We will also have to prepare ourselves for when deaths at occur at home, where the death may be due to other medical causes but the deceased is Covid-19 positive. The policy and procedure adopted will be similar to above.
UPDATE 07/04/2020.
Alhamdulillah the Australian National Imams Council hosted a National Muslim Funeral Service Conference chaired by its President Sh Shadi Alsuleiman on the 07/04/2020. The zoom hosted conference was attended by representatives from all the Muslim Funeral Directors from around Australia, including Muslim Funeral Services from Brisbane, to discuss a coordinated approach to dealing with a Janaza of someone who Covid-19 positive.
Alhamdulillah we can report that the general consensus following the conference was in keeping with our policy and procedures above.
We pray that Allah SWT continues to guide humanity through these challenging times.
Alhamdulillah the Australian National Imams Council hosted a National Muslim Funeral Service Conference chaired by its President Sh Shadi Alsuleiman on the 07/04/2020. The zoom hosted conference was attended by representatives from all the Muslim Funeral Directors from around Australia, including Muslim Funeral Services from Brisbane, to discuss a coordinated approach to dealing with a Janaza of someone who Covid-19 positive.
Alhamdulillah we can report that the general consensus following the conference was in keeping with our policy and procedures above.
We pray that Allah SWT continues to guide humanity through these challenging times.
All other Funeral changes (non-Covid)
Arrangements for all other funerals (non infectious) at this current time until further notice will be as follows:
Please respect and adhere to these guidelines.
- Janaza will be picked up from the hospital, home or nursing home, by the MFS team
- Ghusl will take place as usual at our facility.
- The Janaza will be placed in the kaffan.
- The Janaza Salah will be held at the Cemetery
- In terms of the latest Federal government regulations (25/03/2020), only a maximum of 10 members of family or friends are allowed to attend at a funeral service
- Social distancing protocol will be in place for the Janaza Salah, so the Janaza Salah will take place with the row will 1.5m apart with space between the attendees be at least 1.5m in each row
- An area around the grave will be cordoned off for immediate family and MFS staff only
- Immediate family ONLY will be able to be close to the grave side when the Janaza is being lowered in.
- The Janaza will then be lowered into the grave, and received by the family in the grave.
- Once the Janaza is in place the family will come out of the grave.
- The MFS team will then place the sleepers in the grave over the Janaza.
- The family may hand fill the grave as usual till they require the excavator to fill in the rest.
- The family and funeral directors must move away from the graveside to allow the council employees to fill the grave with the machine.
- Due to workplace health & safety, social distancing and infection control the council has requested that they have have an area at least a 3 meter area around the graveside to be cleared before the machine moves in. PLEASE adhere to this request.
- After the machine fill has taken place, and the tractor moved away, then the family can perform any other rituals
- If anyone has returned from overseas or have contact with anyone who has returned from overseas in the past two weeks, or contact with a positive Covid-19 patient please do not attend the funeral.
- If you are unwell, or are elderly you are advised not to attend, as you are at high risk.
- Young children are advised not to attend, even if they are well
Please respect and adhere to these guidelines.
OUR Volunteers
Thank you for your ongoing assistance and support. May Allah SWT reward you.
These are unprecedented circumstances we are all facing, and we have implemented some changes, recommendations and guidelines, which must be followed.
Kindly contact an admin member of the team should you have any concerns or require additional consumable supplies.
These are unprecedented circumstances we are all facing, and we have implemented some changes, recommendations and guidelines, which must be followed.
- If anyone has returned from overseas or have contact with anyone who has returned from overseas in the past two weeks, or contact with a positive Covid-19 patient please do not volunteer.
- If you are unwell, or are elderly (everyone over 60) or you have any Chronic disease like Diabetes, cancer, or on immunosuppressive medication, you are advised not to attend or assist, as you are at high risk
- If you are pregnant and have a child younger than 1 year old you are advised not to assist with the ghusl
- If we are advised of any circumstances or information relating to infectiousness in the deceased, which we believe that you need to be informed, you will be provided with this information. Please maintain confidentiality of this.
- The number of volunteers including any family members present at a ghusl will be restricted to a maximum of four
- Complete the register with names and contact numbers, for every volunteer including family members who assist with the ghusl
- Once ghusl is completed dispose of all the disposable items into the bins provided.
- The Yellow hazardous material bin is for contaminated and potentially infectious waste ONLY.
- Please wipe and disinfect all surfaces and return any unused consumables to the cupboards.
- You must use all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is provided at all times, with no exception for every Ghusl
- Please use:
- Disposable Gloves at all times
- Plastic disposable aprons
- Disposable face masks
- Boots are available
- Plastic protective goggles are available
- Avoid unnecessary splash and spill of water and body fluids
Kindly contact an admin member of the team should you have any concerns or require additional consumable supplies.
Facility & Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
- Separate Ghusl room or a designated area is compulsory for infectious Janaza.
- Washing Table - usually stainless steel commercial table as is usually available at funeral directors.
- Warm water supply
- Hand held shower outlet is preferable
- Bucket and jug if shower outlet is not available
- Disposable latex gloves - heavy duty in sizes S,M,L,XL or double glove with single use latex gloves
- Disposable gowns or plastic aprons, with full length sleeve if available
- Disposable Face Masks
- Goggles or face shields
- Boots or disposable shoe covers
- Soap (Liquid soap or single use bar soap)
- Cotton wool
- Cloth disposable wipes or towels to dry the deceased.
- Camphor
- Scissors
- Attar
- Kaffan - this may be a roll of white calico or cotton fabric which may be cut as required or a purchased pre-cut & packaged kaffan
- Plastic sleeve - once the the Ghusl is completed the Janaza will be placed and sealed in a plastic sleeve for infection control purposes.
- Hazardous waste disposable bins - specifically for all contaminated waste, including PPE used. Waste from an infectious Janaza must not be placed in regular bins.
- The facility must always be clean
- Once the ghusl is completed and the Janaza is sealed, the facility must be thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated with appropriate disinfectant such as Sonidet or an equivalent as available.
- PPE should be used for the decontamination cleaning process
For the Team
These guidelines are for general funeral, infectious Janaza, and some of these are specific for Covid-19 positive deceased.
Covid 19 will be coordinated separately by admin, and if you become aware that a deceased is Covid-19 positive, please stop and contact our admin team immediately. We will follow the guidelines listed above specific for Covid-19.
Precautions:
Preparing Vehicle for Transport
Procedure When Collecting Corpse from Health Facility or Home
Procedure When Collecting Corpse from Home
Procedure During Ghusl / Ablution
HAND HYGIENE done regularly
Procedure During Janaza Salaah
Procedure When Placing Janaza in the Grave
Cleaning and Decontamination
Handling of Health Care Waste
Covid 19 will be coordinated separately by admin, and if you become aware that a deceased is Covid-19 positive, please stop and contact our admin team immediately. We will follow the guidelines listed above specific for Covid-19.
Precautions:
- Precautions should be practiced for all deceased transported in a hearse.
- Standard precautions include:
- Hand hygiene, washing the hands using soap and water or use hand sanitiser up to the elbows and including under the fingernails.
- This should be done after contact with every deceased body.
- Gloves must be worn at all times if there is any contact with a deceased
- Gloves need to be worn throughout the Ghusl / Ablution / Washing of Body process including collection, transportation and burial of the deceased
- As the mode of transmission is not yet fully understood it is advised that a an appropriate face mask, together with eye protection be worn
Preparing Vehicle for Transport
- All non-essential equipment should be removed from the vehicle i.e. Towels / Cloths / Covers, etc.
- Ensure that the hearse is equipped with a minimum of two body bags per corpse
- The body bags need to be fluid leak proof for the corpse to be placed in
- Driver and assistant must wear appropriate PPE
- Ensure availability of hand sanitizer for hands/contact decontamination
Procedure When Collecting Corpse from Health Facility or Home
- Two staff crew which includes a hearse driver and one assistant is to be sent out. The hearse driver should have limited contact with deceased and acts as a liaison. Preferably wearing the PPE once dispatched.
- The hearse driver must make sure that the healthcare facility is ready to discharge the corpse.
- The entrance, route and exit that corpse will be moved along must be cleared
- The corpse must be placed in double body bags that are fluid leak proof.
- The bags must be wiped down before leaving the facility, whilst having PPE
- In the event of spills, it is the responsibility of the crew to ensure that all spills on route are immediately cleaned and the area decontaminated
Procedure When Collecting Corpse from Home
- If a patient suspected or confirmed of having contracting COVID-19 dies at home, the medical doctor confirming the death must notify the Queensland Health and necessary authorities
- A decision on where to take the corpse will be communicated to MFS
- The removal of a suspected case corpse from the home can only be done under the directive of the Queensland Health and Queensland Police, using full PPE.
- This will be fully coordinated by the admin team.
Procedure During Ghusl / Ablution
- An isolated Ghusl/ablution facility needs to be prepared, limit the number of people partaking in the Ghusl to four, everyone is required to don PPE, clear public and staff from entrance and rout
- Remove all non-essential equipment from the Ghusl room.
- High level PPE consists of: Inner pair of gloves, outer pair of gloves, rubbers boots or knee-high cover shoes, face masks, safety glasses, fluid impervious packaging tape
- For COVID-19 deceased there will be NO GHUSL.
HAND HYGIENE done regularly
- Hand sanitiser / soap and water
- Yellow bag for contaminated healthcare waste box for PPE disposable equipment
- Remove deceased from body bag only on Ghusl table, be careful with spillage of body fluid from bag– place in yellow medical waste bag
- Remove clothing of deceased & place in medical waste packet to be sealed and disposed of
- Use Yellow hazardous waste bin to dispose of cotton wool, and all utilities and PPE used.
- Use paper towels to dry off body and dispose immediately
- Everyone to don new pair of gloves before shrouding
- After shrouding body in Kaffan, the Janaza must be placed in body bags that are fluid leak proof.
- The bags must be wiped down with disinfectant solution before leaving the facility
- Place body bag with Janaza in a disinfected aluminium Janaza box
- A Logbook of all those assisting needs to be kept and maintained for all Janazas.
- ALL EQUIPMENT and PPE UTILISED AT THIS STAGE MUST BE DISPOSED IN THE CERTIFIED YELLOW HAZARDOUS MEDICAL WASTE BIN for any infectious Janaza.
- The team leader must ensure that arrangement for ACE Waste is contacted to collect the waste bags as required by law.
Procedure During Janaza Salaah
- Leave the Janaza in the Janaza box
Procedure When Placing Janaza in the Grave
- Those entering the grave should wear the necessary PPE for infectious Janaza - non Covid
- Bury the person in a body bag, do not remove the body bag
Cleaning and Decontamination
- Crew decontaminating the hearse / Janaza box should wear correct PPE
- Aluminium Janaza Box and Ghusl Table with deceased body fluid spillages should be flooded with disinfectant, and thoroughly cleaned out
- Never use high pressure jet spray inside the confined spaces
- Physical material like body fluids, blood must first be cleaned up and removed before terminal cleaning can start
- All surfaces should be wiped down and washed at least two time
- Janaza box and Ghusl table is ready to use again immediately after cleaning
- Disposable equipment should be disposed of as per normal for incineration, non-disposable equipment can be washed and disinfected
Handling of Health Care Waste
- Ensure that waste is safely stored until health care waste management company can pick up waste.
- Ensure that the company knows and acknowledges that waste was generated by suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case
- All bags, bins and boxes must be adequately sealed, as not to leak any fluids, and must be wiped down disinfection solution before stored or removed