SHAH ALAM - Cases of unattended bodies and delayed funerals due to financial constraints are more common than generally acknowledged, according to Unit Khas Van Jenazah (UKVJ) founder Mohammad Azwan Azlan.
Better known to the public as Wan Cai, he said funeral affordability remains a persistent but under-discussed issue within Muslim communities, with many such incidents going unreported out of sensitivity and respect for the deceased.
Wan Cai also shared that, through his experience in managing funeral services, he has encountered multiple cases where families were unable to proceed with burial arrangements due to high charges imposed by service providers or committees.
“I have encountered several cases where bodies were left unattended or funeral arrangements were delayed because of financial issues. Most grieving families choose not to pursue the matter further out of respect for the deceased.
“This reluctance to report incidents has contributed to a perception that such cases are rare, when in fact they may be more common than generally assumed,” he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
Wan Cai shared two specific cases from his personal experience, both involving severe circumstances, including situations where bodies were left unattended for prolonged periods.
The first occurred in Shah Alam in 2019, when a body remained unattended for more than seven hours and had already been swarmed by ants, because the family could not afford the fees.
The charges demanded at the time included “RM1,550 for washing and shrouding, along with RM1,500 to transport the body from Shah Alam to Penang,” which he said were requested by a committee member from a nearby surau.
In that case, UKVJ volunteers eventually stepped in to complete the funeral rites and assist with transporting the deceased, he said.
Wan Cai also cited another incident on Dec 14, 2024, where a body was allegedly withheld for approximately 24 hours due to the inability of the family to meet requested funeral costs.
He described the case as involving what he referred to as a “funeral management cartel,” though he noted that the matter remains unresolved publicly despite reported investigations.
“Although the authorities later investigated the case, I have yet to see any official findings released publicly.
“Such incidents raise serious concerns because funeral arrangements under Islamic principles fall under fardu kifayah, a communal obligation that should not be compromised by financial barriers.
“These incidents clearly show that financial hardship remains one of the main reasons bodies are left waiting. Funeral management should never be delayed solely due to financial constraints or excessive charges,” he stressed.
Wan Cai also emphasised that while funeral services may legitimately involve costs, the balance between operational expenses and compassion for grieving families must be carefully maintained to avoid exploitation.
The comments come amid renewed public attention on funeral management practices following a recent case involving a one hour and 20 minutes delayed burial at Ukay Perdana Muslim Cemetery in Hulu Kelang on June 28, where the family of a 14-year-old girl called for a full investigation by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).
The family disputed official explanations, with the grandfather denying claims that they had pressured any organisation to handle the burial instead of the mosque and insisting that mosque officials were not involved in the washing, shrouding and funeral prayers.
The father also denied allegations regarding falsified documents or formal requests for mosque management.
Jais, however, maintained that the delay was due to confusion involving a welfare organisation not formally linked to the mosque and rejected claims that an RM1,400 fee was demanded before burial could proceed.