JOURNEY OF LIFE

End of Life

Preparing for our soul’s departure from this world.

Living within Dharam

The world’s faiths have originated and formed in diverse ways. Yet they all acknowledge a hidden dimension to our existence, in the form of an undying soul or spirit. Whether we welcome new life or say farewell to loved ones, the facts of human birth and death can transform how we envision life and choose to live it. Religious and spiritual traditions provide sources of inspiration, hope and possibility.

The mystery of birth involves the mystery of how the physical elements that make us come together to miraculously generate new life. Similarly, upon death, these physical elements disintegrate. Sikh teaching describes the five elements that compose us. The first four are water, earth, fire, and air. For Sikhs, the fifth element is spirit – the life-enabling spark of the Divine. It is this spark that has travels on a longer journey before and after our present life.

Sikhs are taught that there are two angelic entities, Chitr and Gupt, who record our thoughts, deeds and actions throughout our life. Awareness of this continuous Divine surveillance guides our conscience, enabling us to rely on internal checks and balances more so than external control. This conscience provides a measure to help us keep on course to fulfil life’s greater purpose of spiritual growth through the experience of human life that is gifted to us.

Fulfilling life's purpose

Whilst the soul contains God’s spark, it carries imprints from our karam, our deeds in thought and action that bear future consequences, where good karam bring the possibly of muktī, or liberation from the cycles of rebirth. Rather than prescribing karam as calculated efforts for personal salvation, the Gurus made seeking to live as an expression of the Divine the basis for a life of good deeds that was genuine and unconditional. They also highlighted the role of Divine grace, through words like kirpā and mehar (as well as the Persian term karam), beyond our human efforts. Muktī, as they saw it, was not to be pursued as a goal, but it would arise from seeking the ultimate goal: to live in oneness with the One.

Preparing for our soul's onward journey

For Sikhs, part of fulfilling life’s purpose involves becoming initiated within the Dharam, and following the principles and guidelines provided by the Gurus.

To support this, Sikhs are advised to conduct at least one complete reading of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji themselves, so that they can directly absorb and learn from the Guru’s teachings.

Sikhs are also 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.

Saying farewell to our loved ones

ਦੇਹੁ ਸਜਣ ਅਸੀਸੜੀਆ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਲੁ ॥

My friends, give me your blessings,
That I may merge with the Eternal Master.
– Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, ang 12

When we know a loved one is nearing the end of life, the focus of 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.

Sikhs may wish to:

keep their heads covered
if they are an initiated Sikh, ensure they are wearing the 5 Ks
ensure that hair is not removed from any part of the body.

The critically ill individual and anyone nearby is encouraged to consciously recite or listen to prayers. At this time the mind’s focus is expected to be on departing peacefully to reunite with the Creator.

The bereaving family are encouraged to create a peaceful environment around the individual, who can thus remain calm and focused on his or her prayers.

Awaiting the funeral day

When an individual 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.

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.

The funeral and beyond

A family will usually conduct a non-continuous recitation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (known as a Sehaj Paath), in honour of the deceased. This may take place at the Gurudwara or at home, and would usually be completed on the day of the funeral, as part of the funeral service.

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 (cremation).

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.

Following the funeral, the family will scatter the ashes into flowing water.