The Muslim volunteers burying the dead: 'We treat each as if it was one our own family members'

Here we speak to those on the frontline as the battle against Covid-19 takes its toll.

In Islamic culture the burial must take place within the shortest period of time. In the majority of cases burials have taken place within a 24 hours. In some cases people are being buried within four hours of death.

Blackburn and Bolton have had the most Muslim burials in the past year. 

A further 47 people (up to January 27) were buried in the Muslim section at Pleasington Cemetery, Blackburn, this month, with more than half attributed to Covid. In 2020 there were 279 burials within the Muslim section, up from 171 a year before. The cemetery as a whole saw total burials rise from 396 to 577.

November remains the most tragic month with 53 buried in the Muslim section.

There were 287 Muslim burials at Bolton cemetery compared to 116 a year before. In Preston the burial society said they had had 72 burials conducted in the Muslim section of the New Hall Lane Cemetery, compared to 52 a year before. 

Pendle has seen burials double but numbers remaim lower due to a smaller Muslim population. In 2019 there were 61 Muslim burials compared with 105 in 2020 at Nelson Cemetery. Of those in 2020, 63 were Covid-19 related. 

This increase in deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic has put extra strain on volunteers and council teams.

We found volunteers and cemetery staff working round the clock to ensure the bereaved are not inconvenienced in any way.

TASK: Volunteers from the Blackburn Muslim Burial Society at Pleasington Cemetery preparing a grave (Picture BwD Council/BMBS)

Blackburn and Darwen have one of the largest number of volunteers in the area who are on call 24 hours a day. The Blackburn Muslim Burial Society (BMBS) teams conduct the ghusl (washing of the body), cleaning of the ghusl area, provide drivers and the burial itself. They are supported by teams from the mosques, the imams, Brookhouse Development Group and those who help with death notices such as Mo Congress. 

For Covid deaths the BMBS uses three mosques – Tauheedul Islam, Jamia Ghosia (Chester Street) and Jamia Ghosia (Leamington Road). If needed the Mohaddis-e-Azam Mission (Wellington Street), Masjid-e-Raza (Randal Street) and Masjid-e-Sajideen are used.

Imran Patel leads the teams, and said the past 12 months had been challenging for the volunteers, but their commitment has never been something he never questioned.

He told us: “When the pandemic began last year the months of April and May were a very busy time. June to September was no different from last year. Then October started and the number of deaths started to go up considerably and in November the figures were more than triple what they were in 2019.

“But I would like say we have met those challenges and all the volunteers treat each burial as if it was one of their own family members.

“The whole point for us is to ensure the family are kept informed throughout and our focus is to simply know we are making it easier for that family. We ask ourselves in what way have have we taken the pressure off them at this most difficult of times?”

These pressures have been heightened with more and more burials taking place on one day. One of the more distressing days was November 18 when six people were buried in one day for the first time in the Muslim section. Since then there have been five taking place on one day on several occasions, with some burials conducted under floodlights.

There were an extra 181 burials in Pleasington Cemetery  from 2019. Of those 108 were in the Muslim section putting pressures on the teams of volunteers. (Picture LT)

Imran revealed how the volunteers, both male and female, could be called at any time. “If there is a death and I ask for the ghusl team to be there they will drop everything and make their way to the mosque.

“You have to remember many of our teams have full-time jobs.

“The mosques will also provide volunteers for burials. We have several people who are at every single burial. The diggers are forever prepping and cemetery staff work with us, as do the registrars.

“There have been cases when someone has died at 10am and the burial will take place at Pleasington Cemetery within four hours.

“This can only be completed with the assistance of the council, the mortuary and the hospital, who work together for the betterment of the family.”

All deaths are listed almost straight away and information shared with the community. Councillor Suleman Khonat, Councillor Zamir Khan and Iqbal Bhai Chowksi attend all burials.

The teams liaise closely with Imam Fazal Hassan, Muslim Chaplaincy Co-ordinator at the local hospitals.

Imran said: “This is the most stressful time for any family and all our teams remember that this is never about them or how they may feel but about the people they are serving.

“The past year has been traumatic for all but we are committed to making sure each burial is conducted properly.”

Cemetry teams show 'Kindness, compassion, humanity and sensitivity'

Martin Eden, director of environment and operations at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of how everyone in our cemeteries team has responded to the extra demands of the last 10 months.  

“They have worked beyond their normal service levels with an increase in funeral numbers meaning they have had to adapt to sometimes working seven days a week, often until late at night, and in difficult circumstances. 

“The staff genuinely care about the services they provide because they know how much it matters to bereaved families. They do not think twice about going above and beyond what would be expected of them to ensure arrangements can be made for burials to happen as swiftly as possible. 

“They have shown kindness, compassion, humanity and sensitivity to the needs of our communities during an incredibly tough time. I hope that their professionalism and compassion have made the burial process a little easier for local families living through their darkest days.” 

Pendle burials double

In Pendle the council has worked with the Muslim community and provides support for burials which take place at Nelson Cemetery.

The teams are not dealing with the numbers of adjoining towns, but the area has seen a 50 per cent rise in burials in the Muslim sections.

In April there were nine burials, followed by eight in May and five in June. In October with 13 burials and a further 16 in November. In December there were 12 burials and in January, (up to January 27), 10.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal MBE, Leader of Pendle Council said: “Our Bereavement Services Team makes sure that all burials at our cemeteries are carried out safely and are Covid-19 secure to protect mourners, staff and undertakers.  

“Staff have always been conscious of the needs to provide Muslim burials over a short timescale, and we have continued to deliver these by working at weekends and accepting short notice bookings as we have always done.

 “The coronavirus pandemic has brought an even bigger challenge to those mourning their loved ones, funeral directors – and to our team.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported our efforts in keeping residents as safe as possible. A big thank you must also go to our team for the calm and consistent way they’ve responded.

“There is an increased risk of transmission of COVID-19 where families and communities come together following the death of a loved one.

“Rituals and gatherings are important, but we must follow the government’s guidance to reduce the spread of infection.

“The current Government guidance during lockdown is that funeral ceremonies must have no more than 30 people attending, whether indoors or outdoors. 

“We know it’s hard, but we have to stick to that to keep people safe. 

“The latest guidance on lockdown restrictions is on the Government’s website - www.gov.uk."