Can a funeral prayer in absentia (Salat al-Gha'ib) be performed?

The basic principle is that the deceased should be present for the funeral prayer to be performed. However, it is also permissible to perform the funeral prayer for someone who is not physically present. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) announced the death of the Negus, the King of Abyssinia, and then led the funeral prayer for him in absentia, with his companions forming rows behind him (Bukhari, Jana'iz, 54 [1318]; Muslim, Jana'iz, 63 [951]). Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), who was present at the event, said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) led the funeral prayer for the Negus (in absentia). I was in the second row." (Bukhari, Jana'iz, 54 [1320]). It is also known that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) performed funeral prayers in absentia for the martyrs of Uhud (Bukhari, Jana'iz, 72 [1344]) and for those who were buried without his knowledge (Bukhari, Jana'iz, 55 [1321]).

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu