Islamic & Muslim Burial Services in Southern California

Farrington Mortuary & Cremation helps Muslim and Iranian families across Los Angeles and Orange County arrange a burial that honors Islamic tradition and happens as quickly as possible. We work with members of the local Islamic community who perform the washing, shrouding, and funeral prayer, and we handle the transportation, paperwork, and cemetery coordination so your family can focus on prayer and on one another.

Fast Muslim Burial in Los Angeles & Orange County (24/7)

Islamic teaching asks that the deceased be buried as soon as possible, ideally within a day. Our licensed funeral directors answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can begin arrangements the moment a family calls. When a death occurs at home, in a hospital, or in a care facility anywhere in Southern California, we bring your loved one into our care, start the death certificate right away, and coordinate the timing of the washing, prayer, and burial with your family and the cemetery.

Call (800) 674-3659 at any hour to speak with a funeral director.

Our Islamic Burial Process

Every family and every community has its own customs. The steps below describe the traditional order of care, and we follow your family's wishes and your imam's guidance at each stage.

1. Ghusl (Ritual Washing)

The body is washed with clean water an odd number of times, following a set order that begins with the right side. The washing is performed by Muslims of the same gender as the deceased, often close family members together with experienced volunteers from the community. We arrange the setting and timing, and family members who wish to take part are welcome to do so.

2. Kafan (Shrouding)

After the washing, the body is wrapped in plain white cloth. Men are traditionally wrapped in three sheets and women in five. The sheets are folded over the body right side first, then left, and secured with ties at the head, around the body, and below the feet. Because Islam values simplicity, a plain shroud is preferred, and families who want a casket can choose a simple natural casket from us.

3. Salat al-Janazah (Funeral Prayer)

Salat al-Janazah is a short congregational prayer offered for the deceased, usually at a mosque or at the cemetery. It is performed standing, without bowing or prostration, and is led by an imam or a respected member of the community. The prayer asks God for mercy and forgiveness for the person who has died and for everyone present. Men and women usually stand in separate rows, and attendees dress modestly, with women covering their hair.

4. Burial Facing the Qibla

The body is laid in the grave on its right side, facing the Qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. Family members and those present often help fill the grave by placing handfuls of earth. We confirm in advance that the cemetery and the grave orientation are suitable, so there are no delays on the day of the burial.

Muslim Cemeteries & Sections in Southern California

Several cemeteries in Los Angeles and Orange County have dedicated Muslim sections or allow graves oriented toward the Qibla. We have arranged Islamic burials at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, and we coordinate with other cemeteries across the region depending on your family's location, community ties, and budget. When you call, we will explain which options are available for your family and what each cemetery requires.

Persian / Iranian Funeral Traditions

Many of the families we serve are Iranian. Alongside the Islamic rites, Persian families often keep customs of their own: dates, halva, and other traditional foods may be shared at the gravesite, and relatives gather again on the third day, the seventh day (Haftom), and the fortieth day (Chehelom) to pray and remember their loved one. We are glad to help with the practical side of these gatherings, and we take the time to understand what matters to your family.

Paperwork: Death Certificate & Burial Permit Without Delay

A burial cannot take place in California until the death certificate is completed and the county issues a Permit for Disposition. Delays in this paperwork are the most common reason a burial is pushed back, so we start on it immediately. Our licensed funeral director works with the attending physician or the coroner to complete the death certificate, files it electronically, and requests the burial permit as soon as possible.

California law does not require embalming. If a burial cannot take place within 24 hours, the body is kept under refrigeration instead, which is consistent with Islamic practice. You can read more about what to do in the first hours in our guide on what to do when a death occurs.

Cost of an Islamic Burial

An Islamic burial is usually simpler than a conventional funeral. There is no embalming, no viewing, and a plain shroud or a simple casket. Our pricing is itemized, so you only pay for the services your family chooses, such as transportation, refrigerated care, preparation of the space for ghusl, filing of the death certificate and permits, and our staff at the gravesite. Cemetery fees, including the grave and its opening and closing, are charged by the cemetery and are separate from our fees.

See our funeral packages and pricing, or call us for a quote for your family's arrangements. Families who want to plan ahead can also pre-arrange an Islamic burial and record their wishes in advance.

Sunni & Shia Families We Serve

We serve Sunni and Shia families, and we follow the practices of your community. Some details differ between traditions and between families, for example the number of takbirs in the funeral prayer, the use of camphor during preparation, and the prayers recited at the grave. Your family and your imam guide these decisions, and we make sure the arrangements reflect them.

For families who prefer the simplest, most natural burial possible, we also offer natural burial with a shroud or a biodegradable casket, where the cemetery allows it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can a Muslim burial be arranged in Southern California?

We begin arrangements as soon as your family calls, 24 hours a day. The timing of the burial depends on how quickly the death certificate is signed and the county issues the burial permit, along with the cemetery's schedule. We start the paperwork immediately so the burial can take place as soon as the law allows.

Is embalming required in California?

No. California law does not require embalming. If the burial does not take place within 24 hours, the body must be refrigerated instead, and we have refrigerated care available.

Can Muslims be buried in a regular cemetery?

Yes, as long as the cemetery allows the grave to be oriented toward the Qibla and permits burial in line with your family's practice. Many families prefer a cemetery with a dedicated Muslim section, and we can explain the options in your area.

Who performs ghusl and kafan?

Ghusl and kafan are performed by Muslims of the same gender as the deceased, often family members together with experienced volunteers from the local Islamic community. We provide the space and coordinate the timing.

Can family members take part in the washing?

Yes. Close family members of the same gender are welcome to take part in the ghusl if they wish. Others may prefer to leave it to experienced members of the community, and either choice is respected.

How much does an Islamic burial cost?

The cost depends on the services your family chooses and on the cemetery. Because an Islamic burial does not include embalming or a viewing, it is often simpler than a conventional funeral. Cemetery fees are separate. Call us or see our packages and pricing page for details.

Do you serve Iranian and Persian families?

Yes. Many of the families we serve are Iranian, and we are familiar with Persian funeral customs alongside the Islamic rites, including the gatherings held on the third, seventh, and fortieth days.

Farrington Mortuary & Cremation is a licensed funeral establishment, FD License 2365. To arrange an Islamic burial anywhere in Los Angeles or Orange County, call (800) 674-3659. We are available 24/7.