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Burial of one who dies at sea

12-08-1997

Question 82

How do you bury someone who dies at sea?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

If a person dies on a ship while traveling at sea, according to Imam Ahmad, the people should wait if they hope to reach some place to bury him (such as an island or beach) in a day or two and if they are confident that the body will not decay. However, if they cannot, they should wash the body, shroud and protect it, then pray the funeral prayer, and finally, tie something heavy to it and drop it in water. (Al-Mughni, 2/381)
Funerals and rulings on graves
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