Ghusl Washing Table Guide: Size, Materials and Hygiene

In Muslim communities the deceased is washed (ghusl) before burial, traditionally on a table known in Turkish as a teneşir. These tables were once made of wood or stone; today they have largely been replaced by stainless steel washing tables that are hygienic, easy to clean and built to last. A well-chosen table makes the work of the washers easier, keeps the washing room clean and is part of the care shown to the deceased. This guide looks at the technical features of the table and at washing-room hygiene, not at the religious procedure itself.

Material: why stainless steel?

Stainless steel stands up to water, soap and disinfectants. Because it is non-porous it does not absorb liquids or hold odours, and it cleans easily. Wooden surfaces, by contrast, soak up moisture over time and can become a hygiene problem. Grade AISI 304 stainless steel is widely used for washing-room equipment. Smooth welds and rounded corners prevent dirt from building up. Cleaned with the right products, a stainless surface keeps its original appearance for many years.

Features a ghusl table should have

Volinox washing tables include a sink and mixer tap, while a shrouding tray and a drying table can be added as options. Tables are made in standard sizes or to the dimensions a facility requires.

Size and working height

The table should be long enough to take an adult comfortably and wide enough for washers to work from both sides. Choose a working height that does not force staff to bend for long periods. Leave enough clear space around the table for two people to move at the same time. If you need a custom size, sharing the room plan and door dimensions at quotation stage allows the table to be designed around the space.

Mobile or fixed?

Tables on castors make it easier to move the deceased from the morgue unit and to reach the floor when cleaning; choose braked castors. Fixed tables suit established washing rooms with permanent water and drainage connections. When transferring the body from a stretcher to the table, hydraulic and mechanical lifts reduce the physical load on staff.

Points to settle before requesting a quote

1. How many washes are carried out on an average day, and how many at peak times?
2. Are hot water, cold water and drainage already in place where the table will stand, or will they need new connections?
3. Should the table be mobile or fixed?
4. Which of the sink, hand shower, shrouding tray and drying table do you need?
5. How wide is the door, and how much clear space will remain around the table?

Washing-room layout and hygiene checklist

• A non-slip, water-resistant floor sloping towards a floor drain
• Walls finished in an easy-to-wipe material such as ceramic tiles
• Enough hot water capacity for several washes in a row
• Good ventilation to keep humidity and odour under control
• A short, unobstructed route between the morgue unit and the washing area
• Gloves, aprons and boots available for every washer
• Table, counter and floor cleaned and disinfected after every wash, with the drain trap cleared regularly

In small rooms with no space for a separate table, a washing package morgue unit combines storage and washing in one piece of equipment. Communities without any permanent facility can also consider a funeral washing vehicle with morgue.

Related products and articles

You can see our tables on the ghusl washing table page and further equipment under hospital equipment. For a mobile solution, read our mobile ghusl unit guide, and for storage capacity see mortuary cabinet types and sizes. To request a quote for your washing room, use our contact page or message us on WhatsApp.