GURUDWARA SERVICES
Antim Sanskar (Funerals)
At the threshold of the transition marked by death, fear inevitably emerges. In Sikh life, in many ways, this is calmed. Alongside understandings of the soul’s onward journey and the possibility of merging with God in this life and beyond, there is a collective awareness of legendary Sikhs over history, who were able to heroically face death, spurred by ideals of seeking to go beyond oneself to serve others and to remain untouched by fear or hate.
As much as we may learn about death from a clinical or philosophical perspective, the passing of loved ones brings us the very human experience of profound grief. As the extent of our emotional bond with a person is revealed to us, the heart’s journey must be endured as an almost physical one of pain and gradual healing. It is here that the words of gurbani, as well as singing through kīrtan, bring comfort and steadiness in the slow process of letting go, drawing on the values of acceptance, detachment, patience, and hope.
At the close of each day, the night-time prayer, known as Sohila, reminds us that death’s call comes to all eventually and must, in the end, be welcomed, like a wedding invitation that sets the day of departure of a bride from her family home. All we can then wish for are blessings from our loved ones, that uniting with the Beloved will be possible.
FAQs
For funerals at Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Birmingham (UK) please read the below FAQs.
For all other GNNSJ Gurudwaras, please contact the relevant Gurudwara directly.
What can families do when they know a loved one is near the end of life?
Sikhs believe in the transmigration of the soul. Therefore, when families are informed that the end of life is approaching, they turn their attention to the next stage in the soul’s journey.
The focus of end of life prayers is to offer thanks to God for the life lived, seek forgiveness from Him for wrongs done, and comfort protection and peace for the departed soul’s journey and goal.
Patients or their families will wish to:
- keep the patients head covered
- ensure if the patient is an initiated Sikh they are wearing the 5 Ks
- ensure that hair is not removed from any part of the body.
The critically ill patient and anyone nearby is encouraged to consciously recite prayers or to listen to a recording of ‘Waheguru’ or the short Mool Mantar prayer being melodiously repeated. At this time the patient’s mind’s focus is expected to be on departing peacefully to reunite with the Creator.
Medical staff and the bereaving family should help to create a peaceful environment around the patient, who can thus remain calm and focused on his or her prayers.
What happens when a loved one passes away?
When a patient passes away, the Chaupai Sahib prayer for courage and divine protection is usually recited. This is followed by the ardas prayer of supplication to God to seek the wellbeing of the patient’s soul. This prayer can be conducted by any Sikh, in person or via phone. The recitation of prayers or soft chanting can continue for as long as possible, to help subdue the physical and emotional aspects of grieving.
Before the funeral can take place the family need to:
- Procure the medical certificate of cause of death from the patients doctor
- Register the death at the register office within 5 days
- Provide details to the funeral director who will help with booking the other services.
During this time, the body is taken to a mortuary or held at the funeral directors where the family are able to visit if they wish.
Sikhs are advised towards the end of life to put some of their honest earning (kirat) aside, to pay towards their own funeral arrangements, including the distribution of langar, the blessed food which is served with loving hospitality to all after a religious service.
For practicing Sikhs, any grieving is subdued and focus is given to the acceptance of God’s Will. Daily kirtan, or the singing of scriptural verses, is encouraged to support this process and to bring peace and strength.
Families usually wash the body and dress the deceased in a loving manner prior to the funeral.
Following the funeral day (see: what happens during a funeral?) the family will scatter the ashes into flowing water.
What happens during a funeral?
For a funeral, the gurudwara will book a sehaj paath for the deceased. The family will be asked to be present for the arambh (start) of the sehaj paath.
On the day of the funeral, the body will arrive at the gurudwara to pay final respects before going to the crematorium for the antim sanskar.
After this, the congregation will return for kirtan, the sehaj paath bhog and langar.
Culturally, following the funeral service for a male head of the family, the next male in line is gifted a dastar (turban) as a sign of responsibility for the family.
What information does the family need to provide to the Gurudwara?
Please provide the timings and address of the crematorium when the funeral has been booked, so the Gurudwara can arrange the sehaj paath bhog accordingly.
Please also provide a photo, full name and all funeral details for a funeral notice.
Can GNNSJ help with arranging rumala sahibs that we wish to present to Guru Ji?
Yes. When booking, ask the sewadar to arrange for a rumala sahib to be made available on the day of the bhog.
Do we need to provide the haar to present to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?
The gurudwara will provide the haar for the bhog of the sehaj paath sahib.