Ghusl al-Mayyit

The guardian (wali) of the deceased is responsible for the ghusl, hunoot, kafan, funeral prayer and burial. Others perform these rites with the guardian's permission. The obligation applies even if the deceased was not a Twelver Shia.

The person washing the body should be a Muslim, sane and adult, and know the rules of the ghusl. As a general rule a man washes a man and a woman washes a woman.

1. Same gender: the normal rule.
2. Husband and wife may wash each other.
3. Some exceptions for close relatives (mahram) and young children are described in the sources — ask your local scholar before relying on them.

Mosque funeral committees usually provide these. If you are preparing yourselves, gather:

1. Ground lote-tree leaves (sidr / beri)
2. Camphor (kafoor) — a small amount for the water and some for hunoot
3. Clean water, enough for three full washes
4. A washing table or raised platform
5. A cloth to keep the private parts covered at all times
6. Gloves, towels and a clean sheet
7. The kafan cloth (white, plain cotton is customary)

The body must be free of anything that prevents water reaching the skin, and any impurity (najasah) on it must be removed first.

1. Choose a private, covered place.
2. Keep the private parts covered throughout.
3. Remove any najasah from the body.
4. Remove anything that stops water reaching the skin, such as nail varnish, where this is possible.
5. Make the intention (niyyah) for each ghusl: that you are performing it for the deceased, seeking closeness to Allah.

The deceased is washed three times, in this order. Each wash is performed in sequence: first the head and neck, then the right side of the body, then the left side.

1. First ghusl: water mixed with sidr.
2. Second ghusl: water mixed with camphor.
3. Third ghusl: plain, pure water.

If no water can be found, or washing would harm the body (for example severe burns or decomposition), tayammum is performed instead of ghusl. Al-Islam.org states that three tayammums are given, one in place of each of the three washes (sidr, camphor and plain water). If there is enough water for one or two washes, do those washes and give tayammum for the rest.

1. Strike both palms together on clean earth or dust.
2. Wipe them over the forehead of the deceased, from the hairline down to the tip of the nose.
3. Wipe the left palm over the back of the right hand, from the wrist to the fingertips.
4. Wipe the right palm over the back of the left hand in the same way.
5. Repeat for each wash being replaced. Al-Islam.org recommends a fourth tayammum with the intention of "whatever is due" (ma fi al-dhimmah) if the intentions were not made that way.