The funeral (Janaaza) prayer is mentioned in the Quran in [9:84]

 

[9:84] You shall not observe the funeral prayer for any of them when he dies, nor shall you stand at his grave. They have disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and died in a state of wickedness.

So, if the deceased does not fall into the category of people mentioned in the verse, then it is permissible to offer a funeral prayer for the departed soul.

Steps to Observe the Funeral Prayer

  1. Stand by the dead person’s casket if it is available or just declare for the group that you will be doing Funeral prayer for the dead person.
  2. You declare your intention of doing the Funeral prayer for the dead person and raise your hand and say Allahu Akbar.
  3. Read Sura one, Al Fateha (The Key)..
  4. Say Allahu Akbar without raising your hand.
  5. Declare the Shahada, Ash-hadu A- La Elaaha Ella Allah,  Wahdaho La Sharik Lah. I bear witness there is no god besides God and He has no partners.
  6. Say Allahu Akbar without raising your hand.
  7. Say your  invocation to God, (supplication, Dua’a) for the dead person asking God for His mercy on the dead person and to grant him/her forgiveness and reward him and keep him/her with the righteous in the Hereafter and admit him/her to Heaven (Paradise).
  8. Without raising your hand say Allahu Akbar third time, and do more prayers.
  9. End the Funeral prayer by saying Salamun Alikum

Category of People we cannot ask forgiveness for

You Shall Disown God’s Enemies
Abraham Disowned His Father

 

[9:113] Neither the prophet, nor those who believe shall ask forgiveness for the idol worshipers, even if they were their nearest of kin, once they realize that they are destined for Hell.