Is it permissible or prescribed for women to enter the grave to bury the deceased?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
It is not legislatively sanctioned for women to enter the grave to bury the deceased. This is evidenced by the Prophet, peace be upon him, commanding Abu Talhah to descend into his daughter's grave after she passed away. Further proof rests on the Prophet's question to women attending a funeral regarding carrying or descending into the grave, to which they replied negatively, and he responded with a reprimand implying non-permissibility. This practice was not performed by women during the Prophet's or the Rightly Guided Caliphs' eras. Moreover, exposing women to men in a crowd during burial, coupled with their weakness in handling the corpse, renders it inappropriate.
Supporting text
If the deceased woman's Mahram is absent, it is recommended that pious sheikhs enter the grave, as they are considered less susceptible to temptation, following the precedent of Abu Talhah being specifically commanded by the Prophet to descend into his daughter's grave.