Talking to a Deceased
Question :

When a person dies, can we talk to him/her? Can a deceased person hear our voice?

Answer :

We have no way of knowing the status of the dead and their relationship to this world. However, it was reported that it is recommended to indoctrinate him before the burial, perform recommended acts on behalf of the dead and it was reported in some narrations that they benefit from the reward of such deeds.

Touching a Dead Body
Question :

I am a medical student. I have to touch a dead body daily for study purposes. I am not allowed to use gloves. Is Ghusl obligatory for me every day?

Answer :

Yes, you are to perform the Ghusl when you come in contact with a dead body before you perform the prayers.

Burial
Question :

If the body of the deceased is crooked, is it necessary to straighten his body and legs for burial, or do we bury him the way he is?

Answer :

If his body is bent like that permanently in such a way that it cannot be placed straight, then it is not obligatory to straighten the body.

Palm Branches
Question :

What is the basis of placing palm branches in the grave? Is it recommended?

Answer :

Yes, it is recommended. It has been reported that such a thing prevents the punishment of the grave.

Facing the Qibla
Question :

When must a dying or deceased person be made to face qiblah? Does this also apply to after he has been washed in the ghusl?

Answer :

It is recommended to make the dying person face the qibla such that the soles of his feet are facing the qibla, so if he were to sit he would be facing it with his face. It is obligatory to make him do so after his death. It is recommended after ghusl for the body to be placed perpendicular to the direction of the qibla.

Ghusl of the Deceased
Question :

Is it necessary for a Shia to wash the corpse of a Shia?

Answer :

Yes, it is necessary for the Shia deceased to be given the ghusl by a Shia; if that is not possible and a Muslim that does not follow the path of the Ahlulbait  (peace be upon them) is the only choice, then based on an obligatory precaution he should perform the ghusl himself and then do the ghusl on the deceased.

Artificial Tooth
Question :

If somebody places permanent artificial teeth in his mouth, will they need to be removed when he dies, or can he be buried with them?

Answer :

It is permissible to leave them in the body of the deceased and bury him with it.

Burying the Body of the Deceased in a Coffin
Question :

Is it allowed to bury the dead in a coffin?

Answer :

It is permissible to bury the body of the deceased in a coffin.

Supplications of the Deceased
Question :

If somebody in our family passed away, what are the supplications which one should recite for the departed soul?

Answer :

There is no specific narrated supplication for the deceased but it is better to remember him by praying for his forgiveness. Also, it is better if one were to perform some good deeds on his behalf like certain worships and charities as this will benefit him, God willing.

Placing Something with the Deceased
Question :

What is the rule about placing a symbolic things and personal effects with the deceased in the grave, like burying a girl's doll with her?

Answer :

It is permissible place items such as dolls in the grave; but, one should be concerned about what benefits the deceased in his grave.

Praying for a Non-Muslim
Question :

Is it allowed for a Muslim to pray for a dead person's forgiveness if the dead person is not a Muslim? Let me add that the non-Muslim dead person is not hostile to Islam but simply follows another religion.

Answer :

It is not permissible.

Repeating Talqeen
Question :

How many times is it recommended to recite Talqeen for the deceased?

Answer :

It is recommended to do Talqeen when the person is dying, when buried and after the burial when the mourners leave.

Prayer on a Suicidal
Question :

Is it permissible and lawful to offer "the prayer on the deceased" on a person who has committed suicide?

Answer :

It is obligatory to offer the prayers on the deceased if he was a believer.

Touching a Deceased with Gloved Hands
Question :

Does touching a dead body with gloved hands obligate Ghusl?

Answer :

No, it does not obligate it.

Relations of the Couple After Death
Question :

What are the limits of the relationship between the husband and wife after the wife dies? Is it permissible for the husband to touch the skin and hug her, etc. after her death?

Answer :

It is prohibited to have sexual pleasure with the deceased wife. It is not prohibited to look at her, or touch her. It is permissible for him to give her the Ghusl.

Harsh Death
Question :

Why is death so harsh?

Answer :

Since humans lived in this life, it becomes familiar to them. Death is unknown to them and scary but religious texts indicate that the outcome of a devotee is happiness. Starting from death, and when his soul gets transferred from this life, the angel of death will be kind to him and deal with him in kindness and compassion. As a person relates himself to such true concepts, his expectation from almighty Allah becomes more positive and the dark image about death becomes lighter.

The Soul of the Deceased
Question :

On which days or nights does the soul of a dead person visit his/her home?

Answer :

It is narrated that every soul, whether it is of a believer or a non-believer, visits their relatives at mid-day (Dhuhr time). if the soul see them doing good deeds, it thanks Almighty Allah for that if it was of a believer, and that of the non-believer regrets what it had committed.

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji'oon
Question :

When any Muslim dies we say "Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji'oon"; can we say the same when a non-Muslim dies?

Answer :

The mentioned wording is an indication of the fact that we are human beings owned by Almighty Allah and that His power manages us and we are under His ruling. There is nothing wrong in saying the mentioned words when hearing of the death of a Muslim or a non-Muslim since God's power is all-encompassing.

Placing a Deceased in a Previously Used Grave
Question :

Can we bury a man in the same grave in which his grandfather was buried in?

Answer :

If the corpse of the deceased previously buried in that grave has completely decayed and become earth, in such a way that the grave is no longer considered as his grave, then one can bury another deceased in it.

Touching a Corpse Bone
Question :

What is the ruling of touching a corpse's bone if it is covered with a thin insulating substance if:
a) The dead has been given ghusl;
b) The dead has not been given ghusl?

Answer :

It is permissible to touch the dead, but if the body is cold and not given the ghusl then it is obligatory to perform ghusl of touching a dead body. The said ghusl is not required if the body was still warm or has been given the ghusl.
Ghusl is not obligatory in all cases with the presence of a barrier between the hand and the deceased's body.