It is recommended that the eyes and lips of a dead body should be closed...

It is recommended that the eyes and lips of a dead body should be closed, its chin should be tied, its hands and feet should be straightened and it shoUld be covered with a cloth. If a person dies at night the persons concerned should illuminate the place and inform the believers to join the funeral and should make haste in burying the dead body. In case, however, they are not certain that the person is actually dead they should wait till the position becomes clear.

Furthermore, if the dead person is a pregnant woman and there is a living child in her womb, her burial should be delayed till such time that her left side is cut and the child is taken out and then her body is sewn. 548. Bathing and shrouding of a Muslim who is dead and offering prayers for him and burying him is obligatory for every responsible (adult and sane) person even though the corpse may not be an Ithna 'Ashari Shi'ah.

However, if some persons accomplish these acts, others are absolved from the responsibility. But if none discharges these obligations all those who know it shall be sinners. 549. If a person begins performing the acts relating to the dead body it is not obligatory for others to participate in them. In case, however, that person leaves these acts incomplete others should complete them. 550.

If a person is certain that another person is busy looking after the jobs relating to the dead body it is not obligatory for him to take steps in this behalf. However, if he doubts or suspects he should take necessary steps. 551. If a person is certain that the bathing, shrouding, prayers for or burial of a dead body has been performed wrongly he should perform these acts again.

In case, however, he is only suspicious about their validity or doubts whether they have been performed properly it is not necessary for him to take any action in the matter. 552. On the basis of precaution permission should be taken from the guardian of a dead body for its bathing, shrouding, performing prayers and burial. 553. The guardian of a woman is her husband. And after him the men who inherit from the dead person enjoy precedence over their women. 554.