For a Menstruating Woman or a Kaafir to be with the Deceased

Q: Janaa'iz-90: Still relating to the above question, we need to know whether menstruating women or a Kaafir may be allowed to be with the deceased?

Answer: It is best for no menstruating woman or Kaafir to be with the deceased person. The Kaafir should not come close to the body because it prevents the mercy of Allaah from descending. See Durrul Mukhtaar (Vol.1 Pg.798) and Tahtaawi alaa Maraaqil Falaah (Pg.308).

Behisti Zewar states that some (pure) incense should be used by the body of the deceased and all women experiencing their menses or bleeding after birth should not be near. The same applies for people in need of a compulsory ceremonial bath (Ghusl). It also states that no such women should bathe the dead body.

The following question appears in Fataawaa Mahmoodiyyah: (1) Can the face of the deceased be shown to non-Muslims, especially if there is fear of them protesting of not shown? (2) Hindu women visit the house of the deceased on the day of the funeral to offer their condolences and they sit beside the body of the deceased. Should they be allowed into the house?

The reply given is as follows: (1) It is permissible for them, but if there is no danger of them protesting too much, it is best not to permit them. (2) Such women should be seated in a different place because the occasion is one requiring Allaah's mercy and it is rather His curses that descend on the Kuffaar.
And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3