Funeral services.

In the unfortunate event of death of a family member or friend, Darulislam or in conjunction with other Islamic centers (Mosques) can assist with Islamic funeral arrangements including:

* Obtaining a death certificate.
* Arrangements for storing a body.
* Ghusl (washing) before burial.
* Janaza (funeral) prayer.
* Transportation to a burial ground.
* Acquiring a burial plot at a number of cemeteries.

Burial can be made at the Masjids designated plot at the Memory Gardens Memorial Parks in Concord.

Forthcoming death?

Family members of the dying person and their most pious friends should be present at their side to help turn the final thoughts to Allah, reminding him or her of all the good deeds they did, about Allah's mercy, and Allah's favors. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Let no Muslim die except expecting and hoping the best from Allah" (Muslim).
Family members and friends can advise the dying person very gently (encouragement without insistence) to say the SHAHADA: "Ashhadu alla Illaha illallah", which means there is no God but Allah, in a very kind and sincere manner as these may be their last words.
Family members should make supplication (Dua) to Allah to help make the final moments easy, and to forgive them.
All efforts are to be made to fulfill any requests that the person may have before dying.

After death?

Immediately after the death has occurred and verified, close the eyes of the deceased; the mouth and jaws are tied gently with broad bands or pieces of cloth so that they do not remain wide open; the legs should be tied in the same way. The body should be covered, and must always remain covered, preferably with a white sheet of cloth.
Invoke Allah and say: "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (To Allah we belong and to Him is our return).
Crying with no wailing is permitted. The prophet (pbuh) wept on the death of his son, Ibrahim and said: "The eyes shed tears and the heart feels pain, but we utter only what pleases our Lord. O Ibrahim! We are aggrieved at your demise."
Contact Darulislam for funeral arrangements without delay; notify your relatives and friends. The body must not be kept waiting unnecessarily.
Immediate family and friends are to prepare food for the bereaved family for three days.

Information you'll need?

When you contact Darulislam to seek advice, to arrange for paper work and cemetery plot, please have the following information available:
Determine who will carry out the Ghusl (washing) and Kafan (burial cloth), if the deceased didn't specify his/her preferences or already assigned specific person, then the next of male kin to males, and next of female kin to females should be available to perform the Ghusl.
Also, prepare the following information for the deceased person to facilitate the process of obtaining the death certificate and help in finalizing the paperwork:

* Social Security Number.
* California Drivers License Number.
* Address.
* Employment Status.
* Phone Number.

If the death occurred over the weekend, contact your doctor or hospital to determine if the hospital can store the body over the weekend. Please note that a death certificate must be obtained prior to burial from the County's office. Most County offices are open only weekdays and for a few hours on Saturday. Furthermore, the cemetery does not typically open graves and allow burials on Sundays. As such, in the event of death on Saturday, the burial may have to wait until Monday afternoon.
Typically the Janaza prayer is performed right after the Dhuhr and the Ghusl is performed before the Janaza prayers.