May a husband wash his wife?

Question

Since after the wife's death the marital bond with the husband is severed, some people have the misgiving that, as the bond has been severed, after the wife's death [husbands] do not look at her face — neither at home nor in the grave — do not shoulder [her bier], do not lower the wife into the grave and do not touch the wife. Is it permissible for the husband to do all these things after the wife's death or not?

Answer

Looking at the face is permitted, touching is not; washing is also not proper. Shouldering [the bier] is proper for everyone, mahram and non-mahram alike. If there is a need, lowering her into the grave is also proper according to the Sacred Law.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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