It is recommended to follow the bier and not to leave until the deceased has been buried.

Abu Hurayrah (G. p. H) narrated: "That the Messenger of Allah (P. B. U. H) said:

"One who attends the funeral until he prays over the deceased will have one qirat (of reward) and one who attends it until the deceased is buried will have two qirats"

They said: 'What are two qirats?'

He (P. B. U. H) said: "Like two great mountains".

[Muslim, Vol. 2. The Book of Funerals, Chapter 17/52].

It is sunna to walk in front of the bier and close to it though one is permitted to walk wherever one desires around it for the above mentioned hadith by Al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba (G. p. H) when states:

"Those riding should remain behind the bier and those walking should walk ahead, near the bier to the right, or the left".

[Abu Dawood, Vol. 3, The Book of Funerals, Chapter 49/3180].

Salem narrated that his father (G. p. H) said: "I saw the Prophet (P. B. U. H), Abu Bakr, and Umar walking in front of the bier".

[Al-Tirmithi, Vol 3, The Rook of Funerals, Chapter 26/1007].

Since, one who attends the funeral intercedes for the deceased on the Day of Judgement and the intercessor should be ahead of the mediated for.

It is makrooh to talk nonsense in a funeral or to follow it with a wailer or a torch.

Amr ibn Al-Aas (G. p. H) said, when he was dying:

"If I die then let me not be accompanied by a wailing woman or fire".

[Muslim, Vol. 1, The Book of Faith, Chapter 54/192].

It is makrooh for women to follow the bier.

Umm Attiya (G. p. H) said: "We were told not to follow funeral processions but we were not forbidden to".

[Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, The Book of Funerals, Chapter 29/1219]

Also, it is makrooh to ride when following a funeral except for an excuse, though there is no harm if one rides when returning from the funeral.

Jaber ibn Samura (G. p. H) narrated: "That the Prophet (P. B. U. H) followed the funeral procession of Abu Dahdah (G. p. H) on foot and returned on horse back".

[Al-Tinmthi, Vol. 3, The Book of Funerals, Chapter 29/1014].

It is not makrooh for a Muslim to follow the funeral of his unbeliever

relative.

Ali (G. p. H) said: "1 said to the Prophet (P. B. U. H): 'Your misguided uncle has died. '

He (P. B. U. H) said: "Go and bury your father,'"

[Abu Dawood, Vol. 3, The Book of Funerals, Chapter 70/3214].

If a funeral passes by, one is recommended to say:

"Allah (G. B. H) who never dies is exalted above all limitations,"

or say: "The Sovereign, The Holy One is exalted above all

limitations,"

and to make du'a for the deceased and mention his good deeds if he

is worthy of that.