Chapter 159 · 2 hadiths
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The soul of the deceased believer remains pending on account of the debt till it (the debt) is repayed."
The Divine decision regarding the redemption or punishment of a dead man remains suspended till the time his debt, if any, is paid off. A bereaved family is supposed to give top priority to the clearance of a debt.
Hussain bin Wahwah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Talhah bin Al-Bara' (May Allah be pleased with him) fell ill, the Prophet (PBUH) came to visit him and said, "Verily, I think that Talhah is about to die. So inform me when he is dead and make haste (in burying him). Indeed, it is improper for the corpse of a Muslim to be kept lying unburied among his family members."
This Hadith tells us that a delay in the burial of a dead person will be considered ill-advised if not supported by solid reasons or a Shari'ah argument.