Baháʼí

Beliefs about death and dying, and life after death

A Baháʼí believer dies secure in the knowledge that the spiritual qualities they’ve acquired in their earthly life will accompany them into the next world – a spiritual eternity where much remains to be achieved, although not through association with a physical body which will be left behind and buried.

Death in Baháʼí belief is “a messenger of joy” and not to be feared.

Treatment of the body of the person who has died

The body is treated with dignity and nothing done that will hurry its decomposition. Baháʼís are interred in a durable coffin within the earth and burial takes place within a few days of death. The grave is positioned with feet pointing toward the Qihlih, or most holy Shrine in Akká, where the prophet of the faith, Baháʼu'lláh, is buried.

Rituals and customs around death and dying

Bahá’u’lláh revealed a number of prayers for burial to choose from and only one of them is specified as essential to the ceremony. The Baháʼí service for the dead is as much for family and friends as for the deceased, giving them an opportunity to usher a newly-released soul from the confines and troubles of the physical world into the limitless and loving realms of spiritual existence.

Support organisations

UK Baháʼí

Our grateful thanks for their input into this resource to:

Padideh Sabeti, Director, Office of Public Affairs of the UK Bahá’í Community

Visit our page: How we can support you for more on our services.

You can also call our Helpline 0800 02 888 40, email [email protected], or use Live Chat on our website.

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