Muslim mourning practices

[BurneyFanny]

Our elderly neighbour died a couple of days ago (the wife). The family are devout Muslims. We don't know them very well but they've always been very kind to us, giving our kids sweeties and so on. We'd like to make a gesture, but are a bit worried about getting it wrong. What would be an appropriate thing to do?

Just send them a condolences card and tell them if they need anything, they know where you are.

Much the same as you'd do for any other neighbour.

Yes we could do that, but I wondered if there was anything more we could do to pay our special respects.

What culture are they? Whilst Muslim, culturally practises can differ. However, a card or flowers as you usually would is lovely. You’re a good neighbour x

What do you want to do to pay your special respects?

Bake them a cake perhaps? Send flowers maybe?

Don't focus too much on them being Muslim as that can be quite 'othering'. Just focus on the fact they're good neighbours and do whatever you'd do for any good neighbour.

A card is a nice tough and a wee bunch of flowers. I assume the burial has taken place. I’d offer to keep an eye on dad for the family (assuming they don’t live with him) and offer to help out with shopping and the odd cup of tea/chat.

A condolence card is fine, non-religious obviously - and not the dopey kind with teddy bears that you'll find in so many card shops. It's really hard to find suitable cards; I've got to the age when I've started stocking up when I find one that doesn't insult the intelligence of the bereaved.

Good point. They're from Tunisia. Maybe flowers it is then.