Q: When ones husband passes away does the nikaah (marriage) break automatically and the wife is not allowed to see the face or sit next to the body?
A. It will be permissible for the husband to see his late wife, but not touch her. If the husband dies, the wife can see her late husband and touch him. (Imdaadul Ahkaam V1 p 724, 730)
Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked by: Mufti Siraj Desai