The burial site of the author's grandmother, Gadija Kasker.
Mental Health Awareness Month is intended to draw attention to emotional well-being, anxiety, and depression, yet for many people, it also brings losses that sit closer to home.
I lost my grandmother this past Saturday. She lived a long life, and although her passing was expected, the reality of it has still left a weight that is difficult to put into words. She passed away after Fajr Salaah, the first call to prayer, and was buried at 2pm.
As a Muslim family, we followed the customs that guide us in times of bereavement.
It was my first time witnessing the lowering of a loved one into the ground.
