.png)
SHAH ALAM - The cost of managing a Muslim funeral is driven more by labour and operational expenses than by the actual materials used for washing and shrouding the deceased.
While opinions differ on what constitutes a reasonable overall funeral fee, both funeral service providers and mosque representatives agree that bereaved families should be given a clear and transparent breakdown of all charges involved.
The issue has come under renewed public attention following the recent burial controversy at the Ukay Perdana Muslim Cemetery, prompting wider discussion on funeral charges.
Founder of Unit Khas Van Jenazah (UKVJ), Wan Cai, explained that Muslim funeral management comprises several key components, which include:
- Ritual washing and shrouding of the deceased
- Funeral prayers
- Talqin recitation
- Transportation by funeral van
- The burial itself
He noted that the actual cost of the materials used for the washing and shrouding process is relatively modest.
“Based on my experience, the actual cost of materials used for the washing and shrouding process is relatively low.
“For an adult male, the necessary items such as the shroud cloth, cotton, camphor, perfume and other equipment cost around RM50, while for an adult female they cost about RM60 when purchased in bulk.
“The higher charges usually come from the remuneration paid to the person carrying out the ritual washing rather than the equipment itself. For example, if the service is charged at RM500, only about RM50 covers the materials while RM450 goes towards labour,” he said told Sinar Daily.
He said a charge of approximately RM100 would be sufficient for the washing and shrouding process.
Wan Cai also questioned the practice of charging for funeral prayers and talqin recitation.
“For funeral prayers and the talqin recitation, the typical charge is around RM100, with RM50 allocated for each service. Personally, I do not believe these services should be charged for because they are acts of worship.
“Funeral prayers are a fardu kifayah obligation that should be performed sincerely as a prayer for the deceased rather than being treated as a paid service.
“As for transportation, mosque-owned funeral vans are generally intended for deaths occurring within the mosque's kariah and are rarely used to collect or transport bodies from outside the kariah.
“Since the travel distance is usually between one and 10 kilometres, I believe transportation charges should reasonably reflect the actual distance travelled.
“For example, a journey of one to five kilometres could be charged at around RM50, while a distance of five to 10 kilometres could reasonably cost about RM100,” he said.
Wan Cai said burial fees vary depending on who manages the cemetery.
Based on his experience, cemeteries administered by the local kariah generally charge between RM300 and RM800 due to factors such as limited burial space, challenging soil conditions, including waterlogged ground and the need for manual grave digging.
In comparison, cemeteries managed by local authorities typically charge between RM250 and RM500, as most graves are excavated using machinery, although some locations still rely on manual digging.
“Overall, I believe funeral management costs could be reduced significantly if service fees were lowered or waived. The reality is that funeral expenses have become expensive mainly because of labour charges.
“For that reason, I do not think imposing a RM1,400 fee on a grieving family is reasonable. The responsibility of fulfilling the fardu kifayah obligation should always take precedence over financial gain or personal profit,” he emphasised.
Masjid Dato Dagang chairman Muhammad Dzulfahmie Mohd Fareed similarly explained that funeral management involves far more than just the ritual washing and shrouding of the deceased.
It also covers a wider range of processes, including transportation, overall funeral arrangements, preparation of the burial plot, the burial itself, as well as various operational costs associated with the service.
“Depending on the rates set by the relevant authorities or management, the total cost may reach around RM1,300 to RM1,400.
“What is most important is that the management provides the deceased's family with a clear and transparent breakdown of all the charges involved,” he told Sinar Daily.
His comments highlight the broader operational costs associated with funeral management, while reinforcing the importance of transparency to help families understand how charges are calculated.
The discussion follows a dispute surrounding the burial of a 14-year-old girl at the Ukay Perdana Muslim Cemetery in Hulu Kelang on June 28.
The family, whose daughter experienced a delay of one hour and 20 minutes before burial, has called on the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation involving all parties.
The deceased's grandfather rejected allegations that the family had pressured any organisation to manage the funeral instead of the mosque, maintaining that mosque officials were not involved in the washing, shrouding or funeral prayers.
He also criticised Jais for issuing conclusions without first meeting the next of kin. The girl's father likewise denied allegations that funeral documents had been falsified or that the mosque had been formally appointed to conduct the burial.
Jais, meanwhile, maintained that the delay resulted from confusion after the family entrusted funeral arrangements to a welfare organisation not formally linked to the mosque.
The department also denied allegations that the mosque had required a RM1,400 payment before allowing the burial to proceed.