What the Janazah reveals about American pluralism

By Hala Mowafi

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Muslim families across the United States faced a new hardship: prohibiting their loved ones from burial in time in accordance to Islamic obligations (Bukhari 1315).

Some funeral homes refused to handle bodies without embalming, despite clear religious objections. Others advocated for cremation as the “most practical” option, even though cremation is strictly forbidden in Islam (Abu Dawud 3207).

In those moments, grief collided with public policy and religious practice met institutional resistance. In a country that prides itself on religious freedom, the inability to observe a core Islamic burial rite exposes a cultural blind spot that is hard to ignore.  

At the center of this issue is the Islamic Janazah [Islamic funeral process], a burial rite that is intentionally simple and swift.

The body is washed, wrapped in a plain white shroud, prayed over, and buried, typically within 24 hours. There is no embalming and no ornate casket. The practice reflects the belief that all people return to God with the same dignity they held in life, without embellishment or delay. Its immediacy means to preserve the dignity of the deceased and ease the burden on grieving families.

This differs from the traditions that shape much of the U.S. funeral system, which often take longer, involve formal preservation, and include more elaborate services. When policies and procedures are built around those expectations, they can unintentionally create obstacles for families trying to fulfill the due religious obligations of the Janazah. 

Many of these challenges arise from differences between Islamic burial practices and the common procedures followed by most funeral providers in the United States. Funeral homestypically plan around multi-day services, viewings, or cremation, which guides the timing of the process. Adjusting these steps on short notice can be difficult, even when staff are willing to accommodate families.

This became clear during the pandemic, although public health agencies, including the CDC, have confirmed that prompt burial is safe when carried out with basic precautions. A recent funeral operations licensing dispute in Texas with EPIC mosque (Ashford, 2025), which halted local funeral services, shows how procedural decisions can disrupt traditions that depend on quick burial. 

For those handling the Janazah, the difficulty lies in having to manage the details at a time when their attention is elsewhere. Instead of focusing on their prayers and gathering relatives, the deceased’s family may find themselves making phone calls, tracking down paperwork, or trying to confirm whether arrangements can move quickly enough. Grief leaves little capacity for handling technical procedures and formalities. Even straightforward tasks can become chores when urgent coordination is required. 

The concerns surrounding Janazah often come from assumptions rather than evidence. The Islamic burial processes reflect a long-standing ethic around care for the dead that is not widely understood outside Muslim communities. Its emphasis on simplicity, and minimal intervention in the body’s natural state as a responsibility of the Muslim community that has been practiced for centuries and carries deep cultural meaning.

The timeline is a key component of the rite itself, among other traditions that value modesty and community. In a country with increasingly diverse end of life practices, acknowledging the significance of the Janazah is essential toward fathoming other cultures’ respect to those who have passed. 

The questions raised by the Janazah are not only about the Muslim community; they point to a broader need to consider how the local statutes approach the universal experience of death. Bridging this gap does not require sweeping legal reform, just clearer procedures and better coordination.

Funeral homes can communicate their timelines and options more transparently, and local officials can ensure their guidelines do not unintentionally delay religious burials. Mosques, in turn, can establish relationships with funeral providers so families know where to turn. These practical steps ease an already difficult moment.

Honoring the Janazah is not an exception to American values. It is a quintessential expression of them.

_{Image credits: Cover photo by Amna Tariq/Al-Hikmah.}