Muslim Funeral Aid
Supporting Muslim families and communities to give their loved ones a dignified burial without financial burden.Providing compassionate, transparent financial support for funeral and burial costs across the West Midlands.If you or someone you know needs support, our team aims to respond quickly, sensitively, and with care.
What We Do
We provide partial or full financial support for eligible funeral-related expenses, including:
Funeral director costs
Burial plot costs
Transportation (where applicable)
Essential Islamic burial requirements
Support is delivered through:
Direct payment to funeral service providers (preferred)
Reimbursement in exceptional cases, subject to strict evidence requirements
Our approach ensures transparency, accountability, and timely support.
Who We Support
We support individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, including:
Low-income families
Individuals receiving benefits
Refugees and asylum seekers
Families facing sudden bereavement without savings
Vulnerable individuals without next-of-kin support
Eligibility CriteriaApplicants must demonstrate:● Financial hardship
● Residency within our operational area
● Evidence of funeral costs and arrangements
● Confirmation of need from a recognised referee (e.g. mosque, imam, community organisation, or professional)
How It Works
Referral Submitted
A trusted referee submits an application with supporting information.
Assessment & Verification
We review the application against our eligibility criteria and verify key details.
Decision & Confirmation
A prompt decision is made, and the referring organisation is informed.
Payment Made Directly
Approved funds are paid directly to the funeral provider to ensure speed and transparency.
Additional Support
(if required)
We signpost families to trusted services for further support where needed.
About Us
Why Muslim Funeral Aid Exists
Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult moments. In Islam, burial is required to take place as soon as possible, yet rising funeral costs can place individuals and communities under immediate and significant financial pressure, especially when a death occurs unexpectedly.Muslim Funeral Aid (MFA) exists to ensure that no one is prevented from fulfilling this final obligation with dignity due to financial hardship. This includes not only families, but also individuals such as travellers, refugees, asylum seekers, and visitors to the UK who may not have immediate support networks in place.We provide structured, transparent financial assistance for essential funeral and burial costs, working in partnership with mosques, funeral providers, and community organisations.By offering fast-response support with clear oversight, MFA addresses a critical gap in the community, removing financial barriers at a time of urgent need.
We prioritise dignity, compassion, speed, and accountability in every case we support.
Our Vision
To ensure that no Muslim is unable to bury their loved one with dignity due to financial hardship.
Our Mission
To provide accessible, transparent, and compassionate financial support for funeral and burial costs, while building strong partnerships across the community.
Our Values
Compassion - Supporting individuals and families with sensitivity and dignity
Transparency - Clear processes and accountable decision-making
Fairness - Consistent and impartial assessment
Trust - Strong financial controls and ethical governance
Community Service – Working collaboratively with community partners
Governance and Accountability
Board of Trustees
Muslim Funeral Aid is governed by a dedicated board of trustees responsible for:
Strategic direction > Financial oversight > Risk management > Policy and compliance > Ethical decision-making
Shazad Mohammed
Chairman
Shazad is a leadership professional who has a depth of management experience across a number of sectors. He was formerly the Director of Operations for the Association of Muslim Schools UK, an umbrella body representing over 150 UK-based Muslim schools. Previously, he was a member of a senior leadership team for a Star Academies school based in Birmingham, which he helped to establish in partnership with the Department for Education and the Education and Skills Funding Agency. He is also founder and Creative Director of Unity Studios, a local radio production company that specialises in encouraging young people in creative audio output, including podcasts and radio plays, in partnership with Unity FM.He is currently a senior manager in the Civil Service for the Ministry of Justice, where has had strategic oversight in the areas of Workforce Planning, Chaplaincy and Prison Education Services. His passion for education has also led him to teaching Humanities at a local grammar school as well as teaching Islamic Studies and classical Ghazali texts to teenagers in his spare time, having himself previously studied Arabic and Islamic Sciences in Jordan and Yemen, where he resided with his family for two years.As Chairman of Muslim Funeral Aid, Shazad combines leadership experience with an extensive skillset in stakeholder management and partnership work. He is dedicated to serving the local community so that benefit can be felt by all sectors of society in times of need and difficulty.
Anwar Rahman
Treasurer
Anwar is a Birmingham-based finance and strategy professional with experience across banking, professional services and high-growth ventures. He holds a degree in Economics & Management and began his career at BNP Paribas before spending three years at BDO, one of the world's leading professional services firms, where he developed a strong foundation in finance, accounting, risk and commercial analysis while completing professional accounting qualifications.He is currently Commercial & Strategy Lead at a boutique technology consultancy, where he oversees the firm's commercial planning, business development and long-term growth strategy. Alongside this, he serves as Director of Finance and co-founder of a rapidly growing halal food and catering business, leading financial planning, forecasting, grant funding and operational strategy.As Treasurer of Muslim Funeral Aid, Anwar combines formal financial training with practical experience overseeing the finances of growing organisations. He brings expertise in budgeting, financial planning, governance, internal controls and financial reporting, together with a commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship of charitable funds. He is committed to ensuring that the charity's resources are managed with integrity and efficiency so that every donation delivers the greatest possible benefit to those the organisation exists to serve.
Ms Arooj Abbasi
Secretary
Arooj is an experienced education professional with over 16 years of teaching experience in primary education. She currently works as a primary school teacher and has held a range of leadership responsibilities, supporting school improvement, curriculum development and the professional growth of colleagues. She holds a BSc in Computer Science and completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the University of Warwick.Alongside her classroom practice, Arooj has achieved the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) in Leading Teacher Development and is an experienced instructional coach for trainee teachers and early career educators. She is passionate about developing others, promoting high standards of teaching and learning, and creating inclusive environments where children and colleagues can thrive.Throughout her career, Arooj has been committed to serving her local community through education, recognising the importance of compassion, collaboration and supporting families during significant moments in their lives. Her professional experience has enabled her to build strong relationships with diverse communities while developing skills in leadership, communication and safeguarding.As a Trustee of Muslim Funeral Aid, Arooj brings extensive experience in education, leadership and community engagement. She is committed to ensuring the charity continues to provide compassionate, dignified and accessible support to families during times of bereavement, helping to strengthen the organisation's impact through effective governance, collaboration and a commitment to serving those most in need.
Modasar Rasul
Trustee
Modasar is an international education and partnerships leader with over 20 years’ experience across higher education, charities, and global organisations. He has worked extensively across the UK, MENA, Africa, and Asia, building strategic partnerships and leading initiatives that support social mobility, student development, and community engagement.Alongside his professional roles, he has served as a board member and advisor to multiple education charities and community initiatives, bringing strong experience in governance, stakeholder engagement, and mission-driven programme design.As a Trustee of Muslim Funeral Aid, Modasar brings expertise in building trusted community partnerships and designing responsive support systems for diverse and often under-represented groups, including individuals without immediate local support networks. He is committed to ensuring the charity is accessible, transparent, and rooted in the communities it serves, helping to deliver timely and dignified support to those in need.
Trusted By Community Partners
We work closely with mosques, funeral providers, and community organisations to ensure every case is handled with care, integrity, and professionalism.
FAQs
Who can apply for support?
Support is available to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, subject to eligibility criteria and verification.
What costs are covered?
We support essential funeral-related costs, including burial and funeral director expenses.
How quickly will I receive a response?
We aim to respond as quickly as possible due to the urgent nature of burial arrangements.
Will my information remain confidential?
Yes. All applications are handled with strict confidentiality and sensitivity.