Burial at sea

Question and Answer:
Q. Kindly advise how a muslim is buried out at sea.
(Question published as received)
A. A Muslim who passes away at sea should be given Ghusal, shrouded in a Kafan and Salaatul Janaazah should be performed for him/her.
If the ship is far out at sea and there is a fear that the body will decompose thereby causing harm to others on the ship, the body should be weighted and buried at sea.
However, if the ship is close to land or there are facilities on board whereby the body can be preserved, the deceased’s body should be buried on land. (Tahtaawi vol. 1, page 613)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Moosa Salie
Confirmation:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport
Durban, South Africa
Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099