Reviewed for accuracy by Carlos Vargas, Texas Licensed Funeral Director (TFSC License No. 119648) · Last reviewed March 5, 2026 ·
Islamic funeral in Texas follows four Sunnah-based steps: ghusl (ritual washing), kafan (shrouding in plain white cloth), janazah (funeral prayer, often at the masjid), and kabr (burial with the body on its right side facing Mecca). All of this can and should happen within 24 hours of passing when circumstances permit, and Texas law does not stand in the way. Our role at Vargas-London is to handle logistics so the ritual stays central.
Before anything else: call immediately
Islamic tradition urges speed, and the first call is the one that sets the timeline. If a Muslim family member has just passed, call us at (214) 550-7369. Our on-call director begins paperwork the moment we answer, dispatches a transfer team, and starts the clock on same-day burial logistics. The faster we start, the more of the day we have.
The four pillars, in practice
1. Ghusl — ritual washing
Ghusl is performed by members of the Muslim community of the same gender as the deceased. It is a ritual of love and respect, not a medical procedure. Three rounds of washing are standard, with the left side washed before the right, and with scented water (usually rose water or camphor) on the final round. Our facility has a dedicated washing room with a qibla-oriented preparation table, fresh running water, clean white sheets, and a private space for the family or community members who perform ghusl to do so without intrusion.
Many DFW families elect to perform ghusl at their masjid instead, particularly IANT (Richardson), Islamic Center of Irving, EPIC Plano, and Dar El-Salam Garland, all of which have dedicated ghusl rooms. We transport between locations as needed.
We do not perform ghusl ourselves. Our Texas Licensed Funeral Director is present for logistical support but does not participate in the ritual unless specifically asked to assist (for example, repositioning the body).
2. Kafan — shrouding
The deceased is wrapped in plain, unstitched white cotton cloth: three pieces for men (izaar, qamees, lifaafah) and five for women (additional head covering and chest binding). We maintain kafan in standard sizes and provide it at no cost. Families who prefer specific cloth — from Mecca, from a family tradition, or from a specific supplier — are welcome to provide their own; we charge no fee for this.
Perfume (hanut or camphor) is applied before the final cloth, and the kafan is tied at the head and feet. The deceased is then placed in a plain wooden casket; we do not use metal caskets, sealer caskets, or vaults for Islamic burials unless the cemetery specifically requires.
3. Janazah — funeral prayer
Janazah prayer is performed by the Muslim community standing in rows facing Mecca, led by an imam. The body in kafan and casket is placed before the congregation. The prayer is short — four takbirs, recitation of Al-Fatihah, salawat upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), du'a for the deceased, and tasleem — and typically takes ten minutes.
In DFW, janazah is most often held at the masjid after one of the five daily prayers (most commonly after Dhuhr or Maghrib). We coordinate with the imam at your chosen masjid for exact timing. Alternatively, janazah can be performed at the cemetery graveside — particularly when the cemetery is far from the masjid or the timing is tight. We arrange transport and imam attendance in either case.
4. Kabr — burial
Burial follows janazah, ideally within the same day. The body in kafan is placed directly in the earth — in Texas, within a burial vault or grave box that the cemetery requires, though community-owned Islamic cemeteries often waive this. The body lies on its right side facing qibla (Mecca, which is roughly east-northeast from Texas). A simple marker, if any, is placed at the head.
Community members may fill the grave with three handfuls of earth each, reciting appropriate du'a. A short address may be given graveside. The family and community remain briefly for prayer.
What Texas law requires, and how we fit Sunnah around it
Texas law requires: (1) a death certificate signed by the attending physician or Medical Examiner, (2) a burial or cremation permit issued by the county, and (3) interment in a permitted cemetery or, for cremation, at a licensed crematory. It does not require embalming, nor does it impose a waiting period on burial (the 48-hour wait applies to cremation only). A Muslim burial can lawfully occur within 24 hours of death when paperwork is expedited.
We expedite paperwork in every Islamic case. If the physician signs the death certificate promptly, the permit typically issues within 2–6 hours on a weekday. On weekends, county offices are closed, which can delay burial to the next business day — but we file the moment offices open and burial happens that morning when possible.
When Medical Examiner jurisdiction applies
If the death is unexpected, unattended, or the attending physician is unavailable, the case may go to the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office or the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office. ME review typically takes 24–72 hours for uncomplicated cases. We advocate for expedited release on religious grounds; both DFW-area ME offices are familiar with Islamic burial timelines and respond reasonably.
The cost, and what it covers
Our Islamic burial service fee is $4,995. This includes: transfer into our care, all paperwork, ghusl facility (if used), kafan, a plain wooden casket, transport to masjid and cemetery, janazah coordination, and burial support. It does not include the cemetery plot purchase, opening-and-closing fee, or any required cemetery items, which are paid directly to the cemetery.
For total cost, expect $4,500 to $8,500 depending on the cemetery and plot selection. See our Muslim cemeteries directory for specific pricing at each location.
What to tell family traveling from out of town
If the burial is happening within 24–36 hours, some distant family may not be able to attend. Islamic tradition does not require family attendance — the community's janazah and the family's presence are sufficient. Delaying burial to accommodate travel is discouraged in Sunnah. Encourage distant family to join by phone during janazah or the graveside du'a, and to visit the grave after their arrival.
A note on grief
Islamic tradition permits tears and quiet grief but discourages wailing, ripping clothes, or striking oneself. The Prophet (peace be upon him) wept at the death of his son Ibrahim and said his tears were a mercy, not a weakness. If you need support processing grief, we can connect you with your imam, with Muslim chaplains at area hospitals, and with community grief circles at IANT, EPIC, and other centers.