Muslim
Islamic practice requires prompt burial without embalming or cremation. The body is washed and shrouded (ghusl and kafan), placed in a simple coffin or directly in the grave depending on local law, and buried facing Mecca. Coordinate with your local mosque — many have a burial committee that handles ghusl and arrangements.
Graveside burial (no viewing)
Fair total range nationally: $5,000–$8,000
This is the service type most families in this tradition choose. You can refine with the four-question decision guide if you want to weigh budget or other preferences.
Call your imam or mosque office first. Most U.S. mosques have an Islamic Funeral Services or Janazah committee that handles ghusl, kafan, the janazah prayer, and burial coordination — often at minimal cost or as a community service. They will know which local funeral homes and cemeteries work respectfully with Muslim families.
Cheat sheet for the arrangement meeting
Print this. Bring it. The questions and decline scripts at the top are tailored to muslim practice; the rest is the standard FTC-rights guidance every family should know.
Arrangement meeting cheat sheet — Muslim
honestfuneral.coBring this. Refer to it openly. The funeral director will see you brought it — that alone changes the meeting.
- Will you allow our mosque's burial committee to perform ghusl (washing) and kafan (shrouding) at your facility?
- Do you have a Muslim section, or do you work with a cemetery that does? Can the grave be oriented toward Mecca?
- Can the burial happen the same day or next morning?
- Will you skip embalming entirely?
Community: Call your imam or mosque office first. Most U.S. mosques have an Islamic Funeral Services or Janazah committee that handles ghusl, kafan, the janazah prayer, and burial coordination — often at minimal cost or as a community service. They will know which local funeral homes and cemeteries work respectfully with Muslim families.
- Embalming (in most US states)
- Buying their casket — bring your own from any vendor
- Buying a vault more expensive than the cemetery requires
- Paying a “handling fee” on a third-party casket
- Casket (300–500% markup)
- Embalming (often unnecessary)
- Burial vault / grave liner
| Basic services fee | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Embalming | $700–$900 |
| Transfer of remains | $200–$350 |
| Death certificates (each) | $10–$25 |
| Casket — 18-gauge metal | $900–$1,400 |
| Casket — wood | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Grave liner / burial vault | $700–$1,200 |
| Headstone / marker | $800–$2,000 |
| Flowers (through funeral home) | $300–$600 |
- Can I see your itemized General Price List before we begin?
- What is your basic services fee, and what exactly does it cover?
- Will you accept a casket I purchase from another vendor at no extra fee?
- Is embalming required for the type of service I want?
- What is the total all-in cost in writing, with every fee included?
- Embalming: “Embalming is not permitted. Please do not embalm under any circumstances.”
- Cremation: “Cremation is forbidden in Islam. We need ground burial only.”
- Metal casket or vault: “Islamic practice calls for the simplest possible casket — many communities use an unfinished plain wood box or no casket at all where law permits. We don't need a vault unless the cemetery requires it.”
- Cosmetology, viewing, or visitation: “Our burial committee handles preparation. No cosmetology or extended visitation is needed.”
- Premium / 'protective' caskets: “We've decided on a simpler casket. We're not interested in the protective seal — we know it doesn't extend preservation in any meaningful way.”
These ranges are US national averages adjusted for your region. Your local funeral director may quote different numbers — push back politely and ask why. Faith-specific guidance comes from common American practice; consult your clergy for community-specific customs.