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Philippines Passes Law for Immediate Burials of Muslims

A new law mandates the immediate burial of deceased Filipino Muslims, respecting Islamic customs, even before a death certificate is issued

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Philippines Passes Law for Immediate Burials of Muslims

Filipino Muslims can now bury their dead promptly according to Islamic tradition, thanks to a newly signed law.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act No. 12160, which requires that deceased Filipino Muslims be buried without delay, in accordance with Islamic practices. The law officially recognizes the need for quick burials—typically before the next call to prayer—as part of the religious customs observed by the Muslim community.

Burial Allowed Even Without a Death Certificate

The new law allows Muslim families to proceed with burial even if a death certificate has not yet been issued. As long as the burial is reported within 30 days, the legal requirements are still met.

According to the measure, either a relative or the person who performed the burial must inform the local health officer within a month of the death. The health officer will then issue a death certificate and determine the cause of death. This ensures that while burial customs are honored, official documentation is still handled properly.

Fallback Process If Health Officer Is Unavailable

If no health officer or representative is available, the law allows the report to be made to the Office of the Mayor. The mayor’s office will help issue the certificate unless there is a forensic concern.

In such cases, families must be informed before any investigation or examination by authorities can take place.

Deadline for Death Certificate Filing

Once issued, the death certificate must be submitted to the local civil registrar within 30 days to complete the official process.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here

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