Beneath the many pleasant reports I also would like to write something about death and the connected rituals in Turkey.

When someone dies in Turkey it is normal for the neighbors that got to know this to meet in the deceased home and console the relatives and help with the first preparations. The news that someone has died can also been experienced by the muezzin.
 In principle people believe that you enter another world after death. That's why you have to make some preparations and keep to the traditions. The body's eyes are being closed and the chin is fixed to the head. The head has to face towards Mecca and the feet have to be put next to each other and the hands have to be put onto the belly. The funeral is being held very efficient but there are still some preparations.

Washing of the body

The washing is made by men for men and by women for women, that are either ministers of religion or professional washers. If there is no minister of religion it can also being made by someone that knew the deceased very well.

Enfolding of the deceased into a shroud

The body is being enfolded into one or several white shrouds.

Islamic prayer for the dead and funeral

After saying the prayer for the dead the coffin is being carried to the graveyard by the religious community which always changes during carrying. Afterwards the body is being put into the grave without the coffin facing Mecca. Meanwhile there are also gravestones with inscriptions for the memory of the death. There is often held a memorial celebration after the 40th and/or 52nd day. I do not know why this number of days is chosen. I think that there is not a real reason for it.

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