Burying a deceased before offering Janazah Prayer over him

Q: My grandfather died twenty-five years ago among such people who were so ignorant in the matters of their religion that they neither knew nor offered Janazah (Funeral) Prayer over him. Until today we have been living in doubt about this matter that we find to be hard on us and causes us pain. We feel that there is a responsibility laid on us in this regard. Thus, we hope that Your Eminence Shaykh will give us a Fatwa regarding what we should do now after this long period has passed. Should we offer Janazah Prayer over him now, give in Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on his behalf or what should we do?

A: It is too late to offer Janazah Prayer over your grandfather. You should supplicate Allah to forgive and have mercy on him. It is permissible for you to give in Sadaqah on his behalf according to your means, since the deceased benefits from Du`a' (supplication) made for them as well as Sadaqah given on their behalf. We pray Allah to pardon us, you, him and every Muslim!May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.