In different religions with different beliefs, traditions, and rituals, sending funeral flowers to the bereaved family is appropriate. Flowers have long been considered as a thoughtful way to acknowledge sorrow and grief and to convey sympathy and condolences message. In Muslim funerals, giving flowers to the family may vary depending on Muslim sects. Some Muslim families accept flowers for sympathy and condolences but some families prefer to be simple. If you are planning to send condolences through flowers to a Muslim family, there are things that you have to know and understand in the Muslim religion and tradition. Check this out:
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Bringing Muslim Funeral flowers
Muslims prefer not to bring or send funeral flowers to the family when a loved one or a family member dies. However, it is not rude to bring a small planter or a simple flower vase with fresh flowers to show sympathy. To those Islam families who accept funeral flowers, you can send fragrant flowers to ward off the smell of the body. Among the types of flowers suitable for Muslim funeral flowers are Roses and green leaves.
Family members would rather have a simple funeral service at home to say prayers for the soul of the deceased person. In relation to sending Muslim funeral flowers or what is appropriate to send to the family if you want to condole with the family, other Islam communities and ethnic groups disapprove having flowers in the funerals while other Islam groups find it appropriate and acceptable. If you are not sure, it is best to ask the family.
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Bringing Gifts
Most of the Muslim families focus on the simple things in life, and even in the event of the loss of a loved one. Gifts are not required. Visitors are not required to bring anything, especially if it will only cost them additional expenses. On the other hand, bringing gifts may be appropriate and acceptable if it is a heartfelt gift to show sympathy or to comfort the family. On the other hand, just by merely attending the wake and visiting the family during the mourning period is enough and appropriate as a funeral gift.
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Bringing Cooked or Prepared Meals
Meals that are already cooked and prepared can be an appropriate gift for the family as they go through the mourning period. Gifts like these are best to bring to the family 3 days after the burial. Moreover, foods that are intended to give as sympathy gifts should follow the Islam way of preparing and cooking according to the dietary restrictions of the Muslim. If you are not sure of the Muslim traditions, religion, beliefs, and culture, it is best to ask the family or coordinate with friends. The funeral florists also know what funeral gifts are appropriate in the Islam or Muslim funerals.
Important Etiquette to Follow in Islamic or Muslim Funerals
In Muslim funeral, Muslims believe that there is a day of judgment and there is life after death. They view death not as an end of life but as transition of life or state of being from one to another. They believe that good actions and way of life will be rewarded in the next life.
Mourners are expected to grieve but in a silent or quiet way. Loud wailing and crying as a form of expression of grief is not allowed in the Muslim funerals. They are also forbidden to take pictures or videos of the funeral service and memorial service before and after the burial. Cremation is never practiced in Muslim religion and tradition because they believe in the physical resurrection on the day of the judgment.
Burial takes place immediately or as soon as possible after death. They do not practice embalming, wake, viewing, and visitation. The body is washed immediately after death and covered with a sheet of cloth. Only the family can do this. The body will be carried or transported to the mosque for the funeral.
The entire Muslim community attends the funeral and burial. This is one important and significant event that everyone is required to attend. Traditionally, men in the community attend the funeral and the burial, but some Islam communities allow women and children to come provided that they occupy the back line. Every one of them in the burial will throw three handfuls of dirt or soil into the grave as part of the rituals and traditions.
Saying condolences is appropriate after the burial. Family, relatives, and friends who come to attend the burial and pay their last respect to the deceased person, including mourners, are invited to gather at the family’s home. This is the right time to express their condolences and to comfort them from sorrow. Traditionally, this is also the right time to bring flowers to the family to show sympathy and to offer comfort. Muslim funeral flowers are typically designed to offer sympathies to the family during the mourning period. The 40 days of mourning can be very sad for the family, but they appreciate flowers and foods from the community. The funeral florists in Singapore have the best designs for this purpose.
Part of the tradition in Muslim funerals is to serve a special meal after the burial. The community of Muslim is expected to come to the family to bring food during the mourning period, at least on the first three days after the burial. Everyone can socialize, too, while enjoying the meal but with proper consideration to the grieving family.
