Time window for visiting the mortuary in hospital
What is religiously and legally permitted immediately after death in Germany?
When a Muslim dies in a German hospital, a series of medical and legal procedures is set in motion. For many Muslim families, one of the most sensitive issues is being able to see the deceased and, if possible, perform the Islamic ritual washing (ghusl) before burial.
This leads to a crucial question: What is the permitted time window for visiting the deceased in the hospital mortuary or cooling room? And is it allowed to carry out the ritual washing inside the hospital?
What is the “mortuary” in a hospital?
In most German hospitals, the body is transferred relatively soon after death to a special area, usually referred to as:
Kühlraum (cooling room for deceased persons),
or Leichenhalle / Sektionsraum (mortuary / autopsy room), depending on the size of the hospital.
These facilities are designed to store bodies temporarily until relatives arrive or the funeral and burial arrangements are made.
How long may the deceased legally remain in the hospital mortuary?
The exact time frame varies from state to state, from hospital to hospital, and depending on the circumstances of death. In practice, the following guideline often applies:
| Situation | Permitted storage period |
|---|---|
| Natural death, no suspicion of crime | Approx. 24–72 hours after death |
| Death under investigation / forensic case | Until police and judicial examinations are completed |
| Weekend / public holidays | Usually extended until the next working day |
Note: After this period, the body may be transferred to the municipal mortuary (Städtische Leichenhalle) or directly to a funeral home, often with additional costs.
Are relatives allowed to see the deceased while the body is still in the hospital?
Yes. As a rule, close family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings) are allowed to visit the deceased. Typically:
after the attending doctor has issued the initial medical death certificate (ärztliche Todesbescheinigung),
after arranging an appointment with the ward, nursing staff or the hospital’s internal funeral coordination office,
at specified visiting times and usually under the supervision of a staff member.
In many hospitals, visitors must:
present an identity document,
and may be asked to sign a short form confirming the visit to the deceased.
Is it allowed to perform Islamic ritual washing (ghusl) in the hospital?
In most German hospitals, a full Islamic ritual washing (ghusl) is not foreseen and is usually not permitted for reasons of hygiene, liability and insurance.
However, there are occasional exceptions:
If the hospital has a formal cooperation with a local Islamic association or mosque, a limited religious procedure may be allowed in a separate room.
In such cases, the hospital will often insist that:
the washing is carried out by external, experienced persons (Islamic undertakers or trained Muslims),
no medical equipment or hospital materials are used,
all internal hygiene and safety rules are strictly followed.
In practice, it is therefore usually better to transfer the deceased as soon as possible to:
an Islamic funeral home (Islamisches Bestattungsinstitut), or
a mosque with a properly equipped washing facility (ghusl room).
What should the family do immediately after death?
Ask the on-duty doctor to issue the medical death certificate.
Clarify with the ward or hospital administration when and how the family can see the deceased.
Inform the hospital explicitly that the deceased was Muslim and that an Islamic ghusl is required.
Contact an Islamic funeral home straight away to fix:
the transport,
the time for the ritual washing,
and the further burial arrangements.
Ask whether a short farewell or visit to the mortuary is possible before the body is transferred out of the hospital.
Conclusion
Seeing the deceased in hospital after death is legally possible in Germany. The hospital mortuary is generally available for a limited period of around 24 to 72 hours.
However, the full Islamic ritual washing is usually not carried out in the hospital but instead in an external Islamic washing facility – either at a specialised funeral home or in a mosque. Only in rare, special cases do hospitals allow ghusl on their premises.
Therefore, quick action, early contact with an Islamic funeral service and clear communication with the hospital are crucial to ensure that religious duties are fulfilled and that the family can say goodbye to their loved one in a dignified way.
The editorial team and authors of the website make every effort to provide accurate information through extensive research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or information may be incomplete or not fully verified. Please therefore treat the information in this article as preliminary guidance only, and always contact the competent authorities for definitive and legally binding information.
