Q: What is the ruling on embracing/seeing one's deceased spouse?
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)There is no merit in embracing the deceased. In fact, embracing may be a means of Takleef (inconvenience) to the deceased.
And Allah Ta'aala knows best.
Prepared by: Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai