Words From The Islamic Undertaker - A True Malaysian Experience.

Mohd Ismail Bin Mohd Hashim
founder of
'The Islamic Undertaker'
Since 2001

Assallamualaikum brothers and sisters of Islam.
In managing Islamic funerals, mortician involves are often called by several names, all depending on the specific job done by such individual. He or she as a mortician may be representing as an independant individual or a body or as an association and perhaps the mosque. In fact, the Imam and his commit of the mosque is responsible on all Moslem's funeral undertaking within his govern area. However it may be sub let to prevailing undertakers or funeral managers accordingly. The beauty about the Islamic funeral management, is because of its simplicity and it is within affordable cost, and without embalming involved. It is much simpler and systematic on the body washing as laid under the Shariah law. In Malaysia, no license is required for a Moslem to practice an Islamic mortician from a designated mosque or as an individual. Except to an establishing a funeral home has to be initially  registered by the federal law, and licensed by the state law. Above all the Islamic funeral knowledge and experience gained on the subject matter is the most important to be aquired. To support this issue, such as by being an apprenticeship to an Islamic mortician for several years, and with  participation in funeral courses organised by the mosque or from any other Islamic institution is vulnerably encouraged. In fact all Moslems are duly invited for such an heritage learning and exposure on Islamic funerals.  

In Malaysia its all started as a plain local mortician initially from the mosque or musolla or as an trained individual, but slowly tends to change a little with drifting motion of the new economic trend. That why we notice modern facilities and regulations introduced and find no ways to escape but to accept it with an expectation to an affecting rise in managing cost of all funerals. By the contrary a Malaysian Islamic funeral cost is still within the reach by most Moslem community compared to some countries abroad.

A modern Moslem mortician has to manage funeral undertaking from a multiple choice of requirement set by the deceased family, and therefore the mortician may have several title added to his or her names.

Such names and titles known to be in use:

1. Funeral Director(Pengarah Urusan Jenazah).
2. Funeral Manager(Pengurus Jenazah).
3. Undertaker(Mengurus Jenazah).
4. Mortician(Pentajhiz atau Mengurus Mayat).
5. The body washer(Tukang Mandi Mayat or Orang Mandi Mayat).
6. Mosque representative(Orang Masjid).
7. Grave undertaker(Pengurus Kubur).

The word 'Tukang Mandi Mayat' sound alien in nature and it is unprofessional and 'Pentajhiz Mayat' , 'Pengurus Jenazah'(Funeral Manager), Undertaker or Mortician are found to be more appropriate in the usage. So, you decide what to call yourself. Firstly, if you choose to be a Funeral Director or Manager, highly brush up your basic principle of management and community relation, the ability to provide all funeral facilities and your experience staff working and being made available seven days a week. Secondly, work as an private individual Undertaker or Mortician at your own pace with a separate sub-contract funeral facilities on hand and with or without an assistant of your choice, this is the best method in obtaining total freedom of funeral working independence, a true story of my Malaysian experience. Thirdly, employ yourself with any Funeral Director or Manager, Undertaker or the  Mosque nearby and of course a less responsibility you will have. This three methods has been in existence globally or may not been practiced widely in certain areas due to local opinions and laws. Provided one has to be brave and knowledgeable enough to explore the need of his or her Moslem community in order to perform the Islamic funeral undertaking with accordance to the state and country's laws and regulations.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

اِن الذين ءامنوا وعملواالصلحت أُولءِك هم خيرالبريه .

Surah Al Bayyinah verse 7.

Meaning: (And) lo! those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings.

No matter by what names and titles they call us, but we are all leading towards the same common goal, the undertaking of an Islamic funeral management the Syariah way, and our duty to the community as far as Islamic funeral is concerned yet to be considered the most highly sought in Islam. InshaAllah and may Allah bestowed the blessing upon us. 

Suggest reading this blog:
'The Islamic Funeral Undertaking In Malaysia' dtd June 10,2010.
http://islamicundertaker.blogspot.com/2010/06/islamic-funeral-undertaker.html