Funeral and Burial Services

مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَىٰ

“From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will bring you out once again.”

Surah Taha 20:55

Step One: Connect with The Birmingham Islamic Society’s Point of Contact +

Contact Our Janazah Team

Please contact one of the following points of contact to begin coordinating the Janazah arrangements.

Mohammed Saleem Janazah Point of Contact

(205) 382-1098

Jalynn Muhammad Janazah Point of Contact

(205) 789-7277

Information We Will Need

To help us coordinate the Janazah arrangements, please be prepared to provide the following information:

Where do you currently live? You must reside within our service area.
What is the full legal name of the deceased?
What is the date of death?
Who is the family point of contact? Please provide their full name, email address, and phone number.

The Birmingham Islamic Society (BIS) will work closely with the family to coordinate all necessary Janazah arrangements, including determining the Janazah date and time and assisting the family with the selection of the cemetery. All arrangements will be made in consultation with the family to ensure their wishes and needs are respected.

Step Two: Funeral Home Arrangements +

Designated Funeral Homes:

- Roberts Funeral Home 1337 Bessemer Road, Birmingham, AL 35208

- Patterson-Forest Grove Funeral Home & Crematory 1498 5th Ave, Pleasant Grove, AL 35127

Designated (BIS) Cemeteries:

- Muslim Garden Fairfield 1230 Warrior Rd, Birmingham, AL 35218, United States

- Muslim Garden at Patterson 1498 5th Ave, Pleasant Grove, AL 35127

Step Three: Janazah Announcement Request (Optional) +

Janazah Announcement

Families may request a Janazah announcement to be shared with the community.

Janazah announcements will be shared across all BIS communication platforms to ensure that our community is notified in a timely manner. The announcement will be distributed through our official WhatsApp groups, email communication, and all BIS social media platforms. This will allow us to reach as many members of our community as possible with the Janazah details and any important updates.

Step Four: The Janazah Prayer +

Before the Janazah Prayer

We kindly ask the family and friends of the deceased to arrive at The Hoover Crescent Islamic Center or any other (BIS) Facility at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time.

For those attending an Islamic funeral for the first time, the following guide provides helpful information about what to expect.

01

The Janazah Prayer

What to expect when attending the funeral prayer at our mosque.

What to Wear

Please wear modest, respectful clothing that covers the arms and legs. Women are encouraged to bring a head covering.

Shoes are removed before entering the prayer area, so wearing clean socks is recommended.

What to Expect During the Funeral Prayer

The Islamic funeral prayer, known as Salat al-Janazah, is a brief standing prayer offered for the deceased. Unlike the regular daily prayers, there is no bowing or prostration.

The Imam will lead the congregation through four statements of “Allahu Akbar”, followed by prayers asking Allah to forgive and have mercy upon the deceased.

If you are unfamiliar with the Janazah prayer, you are welcome to stand respectfully with the congregation and follow the Imam.

02

The Burial & After

What to expect when arriving at the burial site.

At the Burial Site

The burial location and any additional instructions will be announced following the Janazah prayer.

At the cemetery, we kindly ask everyone to maintain a quiet and respectful atmosphere.

Women are asked to wait until the burial has been completed before approaching the grave.

Grief and crying are natural and permitted. In accordance with Islamic tradition, attendees are asked to refrain from loud wailing or disruptive expressions of grief.

Step Five: Azza – Condolences (Optional) +

Azza – Condolence Gathering

A simple Azza gathering may be arranged for groups of fewer than 150 people. All requested dates and times are subject to facility availability.

Hosting Azza at Another (BIS) Location

If the Azza will be held at a location other than the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center, please provide us with the location details, date, and time. We can include this information in the Janazah announcement for the community.

What Is Azza?

Azza is a simple gathering held after the funeral where family, friends, and community members come together to offer condolences, make du'a for the deceased, and provide comfort and support to the grieving family.