He's only 28 but Muslim undertaker has over a decade of experience burying the dead

Muslim undertaker takes pride in preparing the dead for burial

Undertaker Muhammad Razaly Osman (second from right) and participants in the Jenazah Management Course watch workers lift a wooden plank casing called papan long into a grave to be placed over the body during a burial at the Pusara Aman Cemetery in Lim Ch
Undertaker Muhammad Razaly Osman (second from right) and participants in the Jenazah Management Course watch workers lift a wooden plank casing called papan long into a grave to be placed over the body during a burial at the Pusara Aman Cemetery in Lim Chu Kang. The course, which Mr Razaly conducts at non-profit organisation Perdaus in Bedok, discusses subjects related to death, the afterlife and what constitutes a Muslim funeral. ST PHOTOS: KHALID BABA
Mr Razaly prepares items he needs for a funeral in the back of his vehicle, which he uses for work. The items include a stainless steel bathtub where the body is cleaned as well as tubes to drain the water properly.
Mr Razaly prepares items he needs for a funeral in the back of his vehicle, which he uses for work. The items include a stainless steel bathtub where the body is cleaned as well as tubes to drain the water properly.
Mr Razaly paints temporary tomb markers known as kayu nisan, on which details of the deceased are written before the actual tombstone is erected. Grave markers are simple as lavish displays are discouraged in Islam.
Mr Razaly paints temporary tomb markers known as kayu nisan, on which details of the deceased are written before the actual tombstone is erected. Grave markers are simple as lavish displays are discouraged in Islam.
Participants of the Jenazah Management Course with Mr Razaly at the Pusara Aman Cemetery, where they will observe a burial. The deceased’s family has given permission for Mr Razaly to attend the burial for educational purposes.
Participants of the Jenazah Management Course with Mr Razaly at the Pusara Aman Cemetery, where they will observe a burial. The deceased’s family has given permission for Mr Razaly to attend the burial for educational purposes.
Mr Razaly helping other undertakers carry a body from the hearse to the burial grounds during the Jenazah Management Course. He sees his work as a learning journey because he says every death he handles is different.
Mr Razaly helping other undertakers carry a body from the hearse to the burial grounds during the Jenazah Management Course. He sees his work as a learning journey because he says every death he handles is different.
During a practical session on managing death, Mr Razaly, with the help of a volunteer from among his students, demonstrates how to bathe the deceased and conduct prayers as well as other preparations.
During a practical session on managing death, Mr Razaly, with the help of a volunteer from among his students, demonstrates how to bathe the deceased and conduct prayers as well as other preparations.
Items such as white and batik pieces of cloth, gloves, cotton wool, soap, sandalwood, rose water, camphor, oil perfume and scissors are needed for bathing the deceased.
Items such as white and batik pieces of cloth, gloves, cotton wool, soap, sandalwood, rose water, camphor, oil perfume and scissors are needed for bathing the deceased.
The Pusara Aman Cemetery in Lim Chu Kang is one of the last resting places for Muslims in Singapore.
The Pusara Aman Cemetery in Lim Chu Kang is one of the last resting places for Muslims in Singapore.
Neo Xiaobin Executive Photojournalist and Khalid Baba Photojournalist
Updated
Mar 05, 2019, 12:48 AM
Published
Mar 04, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Undertaker Muhammad Razaly Osman is just 28 years old, but has already accumulated over a decade of experience burying the dead.

His inspirational role model is someone he never got to meet, but has heard plenty of stories about from his mother.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 04, 2019, with the headline He's only 28 but Muslim undertaker has over a decade of experience burying the dead. Subscribe

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