SHAH ALAM - Limited awareness and low participation in ‘khairat kematian’ (funeral management assistance) schemes may be contributing to financial strain faced by families during funeral arrangements.
Funeral management practitioners said many Malaysians underestimate both the importance and timing of death, often assuming it only occurs in old age and that mosques will fully cover burial costs.
Unit Khas Van Jenazah (UKVJ) founder Wan Cai, acknowledged that there is some truth to the view, but he stressed that this is not the only factor contributing to the financial burden faced by bereaved families.
“I believe there is some truth to the view that limited participation in ‘khairat kematian’ contributes to situations like delayed burials due to financial constraints. Although I would not consider it the only factor.
“Many Malaysians assume death only comes with old age, when in reality it can happen at any stage of life. Many choose not to contribute to ‘khairat kematian’, even though funeral management involves unavoidable expenses such as transportation and burial,” he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
He also noted that there is a common perception that mosques will fully cover funeral costs, when in reality assistance varies depending on the local community and available resources.
In many cases, he said, mosque-based support schemes do not cover the full range of expenses required for a complete funeral process.
Wan Cai added that while some individuals are aware of ‘khairat kematian’ schemes, they may delay joining due to competing financial priorities. He said this postponement can leave families exposed to sudden financial burdens when death occurs unexpectedly.
“‘Khairat kematian’ should be viewed as a form of financial preparedness similar to savings or takaful protection, as it helps reduce the burden on grieving families during difficult times.
“In my opinion, Muslims in Malaysia should pay greater attention to ‘khairat kematian’ because it is a practical form of financial planning.
“Just like maintaining emergency savings or having takaful protection, it can significantly reduce the financial burden on the deceased's family when the unexpected happens,” he said.
Dato Dagang Mosque chairman Muhammad Dzulfahmie Mohd Fareed echoed similar views, saying that many people tend to overlook ‘khairat kematian’ due to the belief that death is a distant concern tied mainly to old age.
He added that awareness must begin at the individual level, noting that some people delay preparation because they feel they are still young and prioritise other matters.
“It all begins with personal awareness. Some people believe they are still young and become distracted by worldly matters, but we should always be prepared because death comes only at its appointed time, neither earlier nor later.
“Every mosque or surau kariah usually provides information on ‘khairat kematian’ registration and annual membership fees. I encourage everyone to join a scheme so that funeral arrangements can be managed more smoothly when the time comes,” he told Sinar Daily.
The remarks come amid ongoing public discussion on funeral management practices in Selangor following a June 28 case involving a delayed burial at Ukay Perdana Muslim Cemetery in Hulu Kelang.
The family of a 14-year-old girl involved in the case has called for a full and transparent investigation by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department, disputing official explanations regarding the incident.
The family also denied allegations of document falsification and claims that they had formally requested mosque management, while Jais maintained that the delay stemmed from confusion involving a welfare organisation not formally linked to the mosque.