Knowledge
The ritual washing (ghusl)
Who washes, how the washing is done and where in Hamburg: washing rooms at the cemeteries and at the funeral director's.
The washing of the deceased is a communal obligation. It is carried out by people of the same sex, usually by close relatives or experienced members of the community, guided by the funeral director or the imam. Spouses may wash each other.
The washing is done with clean, lukewarm water, usually three times, beginning with the parts of the body washed in the ablution for prayer, then the right side, then the left. The body remains covered throughout. At the end, camphor or scented water may be used.
Where in Hamburg: Finkenriek Cemetery has had its own washing house since 2020, with separate entrances and waiting rooms for men and women. Ohlsdorf and Öjendorf have washing rooms; the public cemeteries charge €128 per 45 minutes for their use. Many funeral directors have their own washing rooms. Those who do not wish to do the washing themselves leave it to the funeral director.
In the case of a death by accident or after a post-mortem examination, the washing may be restricted. According to most schools of law, a symbolic pouring of water or the substitute ablution (tayammum) is then sufficient.