Funeral Practices of the Malay Islamic Community in Sarawak: A Comparison of Culture and Syarak Law

Communities in Sarawak consist of various ethnicities and races. Intermarriage among the different communities have resulted in the proliferation of customs, encouraging a diversity of cultures and traditions that may result in the combination of customs with Islamic law. Although there are various efforts made by the local religious institutions, there exist a mixture of cultural practices and traditions with Islamic law among the Muslim community in Malaysia. This mixture may introduce new practices that may not be in accordance to what is stated in Islamic law. Hence, it is important to distinguish practices that were derived from custom, culture and tradition against what is based on Islamic law. The objective of this study is to distinguish the Islamic practices involved in the burial process of Muslims in Sarawak. This study was conducted by segregating the practices required by religion and the practices adapted from customs, culture and traditions of the local community. This study uses an ethnographic approach that includes literature review, field research such as observations in cemeteries around Kuching and Samarahan, as well as interviews with religious groups and volunteers that participate in the burial process, and the general public. It was found that the burial process of the Malay Muslim community of Sarawak mixes cultural practices with Islamic law. Some improvement are suggested so that Muslim funeral practices can be aligned in accordance to the laws set by Islam.