Shrouding should start just after washing the body of the deceased. It is recommended to use white sheets from inexpensive material. Extravagance is not recommended in the Kafan (Shroud).

THE KAFAN OF A MALE

The Kafan of a male should consist of three white winding sheets about {7 x 7 feet}, clean and large enough to conceal the whole body, after having been perfumed with incense. Use 4 tie ropes, each 7 feet long. The material of the sheet should not be silk, nor should any gold be used.

STEPS OF SHROUDING

  1. The winding sheets should be spread out one on the top of the other.
  2. The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on his back on the winding sheets.
  3. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.
  4. If it is possible the deceased’s left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer).
  5. The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. The third and the largest sheet should be treated the same way.
  6. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.

THE KAFAN OF A FEMALE

The Kafan of a female should consist of five white garments, (Two winding sheet, a long loose sleeveless shirt {From shoulder to feet}, a waist wrapper, and a head veil), these should be large enough to cover the whole body and may be perfumed with incense, a loin cloth may be used to bind the upper part of her legs, use 4 tie ropes, each one is 7 feet long.

STEPS OF SHROUDING:

  1. The garments are spread out (First: winding sheets {7 x 7 feet}, Second: the long loose sleeveless shirt {3 1/2 x 14 feet, with a hole in the middle line for the head}, Third: waist wrapper {6 feet x 3 1/2 feet}, Fourth head veil {a 4×4 square feet white sheet}, and Fifth: the loin cloth {12 inches wide x 4 feet long}).
  2. The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on her back on the shroud. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.
  3. The loin cloth is bound round her upper legs (Acts like underwear).
  4. The waist wrapper is tied in place.
  5. Put on the sleeveless shirt (Long to cover the body from the shoulder to the feet).
  6. Put the head veil.
  7. The deceased’s left hand should be placed on her chest, then put her right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer).
  8. The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way.
  9. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.

NOTE: There is no Islamic teaching of writing anything on the shrouds.