Out of respect, we must prepare the deceased as soon as possible after death. The body is cleaned, then it is washed three times. First in water, then in water scented with kafoor (camphor), then water infused with Sedr - wood from a precious tree which grows in South Iraq and South Iran only.
The mouth and anus are plugged up with cotton. Kafoor is put on their forehead, chest, mouth, genitals, hands and feet. They are then wrapped in the shroud. It has three main pieces for a man, and two extra pieces for a woman to cover her head and breasts.
The person is buried dressed in this shroud only, with their face turned towards Mecca, and their cheek resting on the dirt. We came from earth and will return to the earth.
Hussein Ali Al-Hashimy, Iraqi poet and writer, Sydney.
Copyright © Australian Museum,
2008
