Funeral

Funeral Procedures

May Allah grant us the will and capacity to serve.  And when it is time to return to Him, accord us the intercession of His Beloved.

About an hour's drive from our Spring Valley Jerrahi Dergah, located in Middletown, NY, is Hillside Cemetery.  This is where some of our teachers, elders, brothers, sisters and juniors, who have served before us, have been laid to rest.  Hillside Cemetery dates back to almost 200 years.  The Dergah has purchased burial plots for the community, at this serene and peaceful location. 

Those who would like to get more details and may consider purchasing a plot should contact Mobeen at mobeenhashim@gmail.com.  It is important to know that the Dergah is there for the grieving families to help with funeral arrangements, at the passing of a loved one.  Various members of the Dergah community get involved in ensuring that proper arrangements are made with the Funeral Home, the Cemetery, and the Imam.

The process that is followed is summarized below:

1.  Someone from the grieving family/friend would call Mobeen @ (845)216-4292 or at (908)458-3251 to inform him of the passing of the loved one.  Haseen Abi may be contacted at (845)216-4293, if Mobeen does not respond immediately.  The family member would provide details on location of the deceased (home, hospital, nursing home etc.)

2.  Mobeen/Haseen will inform Yurdaer Baba, who will plan out the funeral schedule in consultation with Tosun Efendi.

3.  Assumma Shankey Funeral Home will be informed of the location of the deceased.  They will send their ambulance/hearse to pick up the deceased and bring to the Funeral Home.  Please click here for driving instructions to Assumma Shankey Funeral Home in Pearl River, NY

4.  Arrangement for casket will be made with Assumma Shankey.  The Dergah recommends a modest casket.  

5.  The Imam at Ulu Cami will be informed and consulted to find out the most appropriate time for the deceased to be brought to the Cami for washing and shrouding.  Please click here for driving instructions to Ulu Cami in Patterson, NJ.

6.  Hillside Cemetery will be informed of the passing, and information provided on expected date & time of burial.  

7.  A final follow up will be done with the Cemetery on the day of burial, to ensure that either the plot has been opened.  The Cemetery charges different rates for weekday, weekend, morning or afternoon burial.  It is usually closed on Sundays for burials.

8.  At scheduled date & time, Assumma Shankey will bring the deceased over to Ulu Cami for washing and shrouding. Click here to read the article on washing and shrouding of dervishes.  After preparations are complete at Ulu Cami, the deceased will be placed in the casket, and either brought back to the Funeral Home or to the Dergah for Funeral prayers.

9.  If the deceased was brought to the Funeral Home for overnight stay, based on the schedule, the body will be brought to the Dergah for funeral prayers.

10.   At the completion of the prayers at the Dergah, the deceased is taken to the Cemertery, in the hearse.  The funeral procession will accompany.  Please click here for driving instructions to Hillside Cemetery in Middletown, NY.

11.  At the Cemetery, the Imam will recite special prayers, a short Usul is performed for dervishes, and the deceased is buried.

Please contact Mobeen if any additional information is needed.

May Allah grant us time, capacity & will to serve.  Ameen.

Salutations to our Master, Mohammad - may Allah's blessings be on Him, His family and his Companions.


Assumma-Shankey Funeral Home

  • 34 N Summit St
  • Pearl River, NY 10965
  • See Map: Google Maps
  • (845)735-4849


Ulu Cami United Islamic Center

  • 408 Knickerbocker Ave
  • Paterson, NJ 07503
  • See Map: Google Maps
  • http://www.ulucami.org/


Middletown Hillside Cemetery

  • Mulberry Street
  • Middletown NY 10940
  • See Map: Google Maps
  • (845)343-5534 - http://www.middletownhillsidecemetery.com


Related Articles


Related Media