If the family can read, they must take part in the reading if they cannot, they must sit and listen to it. This is called a Sahaj Pathand is usually completed within ten days. The second part is called Antim Ardasthe final prayer during the Bhog ceremony, which includes a complete reading of Guru Granth Sahib either at home or in a Gurdwara. Sikhs do not erect monuments over the remains of the dead. Some families, living outside India, prefer to take the ashes to Punjab. The ashes are collected after the cremation and later disposed of by immersion in the nearest river or sea. Where cremation is not possible, disposal of the dead body by placing it in the sea or river is permitted.Īt the end of the cremation the member of the funeral party return to their homes.

The eldest son or a close relative generally does the cremation. On arrival at the crematorium, a brief speech about the deceased is generally given the Sohilabedtime prayer is recited and the Ardasformal prayer is offered. A prayer is said before the start of the funeral to seek salvation for the departed soul. In Punjab, body will be burnt on the funeral pyre, but in Western countries crematorium is used. If the death occurs in a hospital, the body is taken home for viewing before the funeral.

For cremation, the body is first washed and dressed with clean clothes complete with the Five K's in case of baptized Sikhs. When a death occurs, they exclaim 'Waheguru', the Wonderful Lord. At a Sikh's death-bed, relatives and friends read Sukhmani Sahibthe Psalm of Peace, composed by the fifth Guru Arjan Dev Ji, to console themselves and the dying person.

The death ceremony may be split into two parts Saskarthe cremation and the Antim Ardasthe final prayer at the end of the Bhog ceremony. Mourning is therefore discouraged, especially in the case of those who have lived a long and full life. To a Sikh, birth and death are closely associated, because they are both part of the cycle of human life, Ava Guvanwhich is seen as transient stage towards Nirvanacomplete unity with God.

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