There are 25 million Sikhs worldwide, including about 700,000 in the United States, as estimated by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Punjabi India has the world’s highest concentration of Sikhs. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak in the 15 th century in Punjab, which today spans parts of Pakistan and northern India. Sikhs don’t bury bodies or ashes in marked graves, because the body is seen as a vessel that becomes empty once the soul has departed. As a result, Sikhs are encouraged to see death as a chance for someone to continue his or her journey closer to God. Sikhs do not erect monuments over the remains of the dead.Īfter the cremation ceremony, there may be another service at the Gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, called the Sahaj Paath Bhog Ceremony.Sikhs believe that humans have immortal souls that are reincarnated in different forms depending on one’s earthly actions and on God’s will. The ashes are later collected and immersed in a body of water. This service usually lasts about 30 to 60 minutes. The eldest son or a close relative generally starts the cremation process – by lighting the fire or pressing the button for the burning to begin. Then the Kirtan Sohila (night time prayer) is recited and finally Ardas called the "Antim Ardas" ("Final Prayer") is offered. At the conclusion of the service, an Ardas is said before the body is taken to the cremation site.Īt the point of cremation, a few Shabads are sung and final speeches are made about the deceased person. This service normally takes from 30 to 60 minutes. Kirtan may also be performed by Ragis while the relatives of the deceased recite "Waheguru". On the day of the cremation, the body is taken to the Gurdwara or home where Shabads (hymns) from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Scriptures, are recited by the congregation, which induce feeling of consolation and courage. Then the body is dressed with clean clothes complete with the Five Ks (in the case of Amritdhari Sikhs). In preparation for cremation (usually the day before or day of the cremation), the body is first washed while those present recite the Gurmantar Waheguru or Mool Mantar. If the death occurs in a hospital, the body is taken to the funeral parlor or home before the funeral. When a death occurs, they should exclaim "Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru" (the Wonderful Lord). is discouraged, because the body is considered to be only the shell, the person's soul was their real essence.Īt a Sikh's death-bed, relatives and friends should read Sukhmani Sahib, the Prayer of Peace, composed by the fifth Guru Arjan Dev, or simply recite " Waheguru" to console themselves and the dying person. As there is no grave a memorial to the dead or gravestone, etc. In life, a Sikh tries always to constantly remember death so that they may be sufficiently prayerful, detached and righteous to break the cycle of birth and death and return to God.Ĭremation is the preferred method of disposal, although if it is not possible any other methods such as burial or submergence at sea are acceptable. Death is only the progression of the soul on its journey from God, through the created universe and back to God again. To a Sikh, birth and death are closely associated, because they are both part of the cycle of human life of "coming and going" ( ਆਵਣੁ ਜਾਣਾ, Aaavan Jaanaa) which is seen as transient stage towards Liberation ( ਮੋਖੁ ਦੁਆਰੁ, Mokh Du-aar), complete unity with God. In Sikhism, death is considered a natural process and God's will or Hukam. Antam (or Antim) means "final", while sanskar means "rite". Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks or boxes, misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts instead of Indic text.Īntam Sanskar refers to the funeral rites in Sikhism.
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