The Ruling on Ghusl for One Who Washes a Corpse

The question: The letter before us, and the last one in this session, came from the land of Zahran from 'Abd al-Wahhab Masfir Zaharani. He says: "Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings. After that:
I ask for clarification of these questions: What is the ruling for one who washes a corpse? Is ghusl obligatory for him, or wudu', or something else?
The answer: One who washes a corpse should perform wudu'; because a group of the Companions issued a fatwa to this effect. He should perform the wudu' of prayer, meaning he should rinse his mouth and nose, wash his face and arms, wipe his head and ears, and wash his feet. This is the wudu' prescribed by the Shari'ah. He should perform wudu' to avoid the disagreement among scholars and to act in accordance with what some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them and grant them satisfaction) issued as a fatwa.
As for ghusl, it is not obligatory for him, but if he performs ghusl, that is better. Ghusl—bathing—is better, but it is not obligatory. It was reported in an authentic hadith from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he used to perform ghusl after washing a corpse. So if one washes a corpse, it is prescribed for him to perform ghusl—to bathe.
As for wudu', it is obligatory according to a group of scholars. And if he touches his private parts, wudu' becomes obligatory in all cases. However, what is prescribed for the one who washes a corpse is that he does not touch the private parts, but washes them from behind a cloth. He washes his private parts with a cloth and does not touch the private parts. But if it happens that he touches them out of ignorance or by mistake, his wudu' is invalidated in all cases. But if he washes them with a cloth and does not touch the private parts, neither the back nor the front, then he should perform the wudu' of prayer only. This is obligatory according to a group of scholars. As for ghusl, it is not obligatory by unanimous agreement; rather, it is recommended, and it is prescribed.
Some scholars said: Perhaps the 'illah (operative cause) and the wisdom in that is that turning the corpse over weakens the strength and diminishes the strength; because he will remember death and remember the state of the grave, so weakness and collapse will occur in his strength. So Allah prescribed ghusl so that he benefits from it and so that he becomes strong and energetic after the weakness that overtook him.
The presenter: He says in his second question: What is the ruling on saying: "The face of Allah is upon you!" Please be with us, or "The face of Allah is upon you!" Do this thing, or "The honor of Allah is upon you!" Or "The face of Allah is upon you!" We inform you that this is a custom prevalent in the south of the Kingdom. Please inform us, may Allah guide you?
The Shaykh: I do not know. At the present time, I do not know, and I will study it, if Allah wills. So as for now, I do not know, but I will study it and look into it, and it will be at another time, if Allah wills. The answer to it will be at another time, and you, my brother Sulayman, remind me of it, if Allah wills.
The presenter: If Allah wills.
The Shaykh: So that I may re-examine the research... so that I may reconsider it.
The presenter: If Allah wills.
The Shaykh: Yes.