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Antam Sanskar (Gurmukhi: ਅੰਤਮ ਸੰਸਕਾਰatama sasakāra) refers to thefuneral rites in Sikhism.Antam (orAntim) means "final", whilesanskar means "rite".[1] There are three major components of a Sikh funeral: the crematorium, the gurdwara ceremony, and the scattering of the ashes.[2] There are variations of these three components regarding timing depending on region and family, as traditions may vary.[2] However, cremations in Indian culture usually occur within one or two days after a death but can be delayed to await the arrival of distant mourners to the ceremony.[2] After the cremation, a religious ceremony is carried-out by the family of the dead, involving a reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, known as aSehaj Pāth.[2]
InSikhism,death is considered a natural process andGod's will orHukam. 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. Sikhs thus believe inreincarnation. Thesoul itself is not subject to death. Death is only the progression of the soul on its journey from God, through the created universe and back to God again. 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. At a funeral, Sikhs are expected to keep in-composure and celebrate the deceased individual rather than mourn their death.[2]
Cremation is the preferred method of disposal, although if it is not possible any other methods or if the person willed to be buried thenburial orsubmergence at sea are acceptable. A memorial to the dead,gravestone,mausoleum etc. is not allowed, because the body is considered to be only the shell, the person's soul was their real essence.[3]
At a Sikh's death-bed, relatives and friends should readSukhmani Sahib, the Prayer of Peace, composed by the fifthGuru Arjan Dev, or simply recite "Waheguru" to console themselves and the dying person. When a death occurs, they should exclaim "Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru" (the Wonderful Lord).
If the death occurs in a hospital, the body is taken to the funeral parlor or home before the funeral. In preparation for cremation (usually the day before or day of the cremation), the body is first wāed while those present recite the Gurmantar Waheguru orMool Mantar. Then the body is dressed with clean clothes complete with theFive Ks (in the case ofAmritdhari Sikhs).
The funeral of a deceased Sikh should take place quickly, usually in the afternoon if the death happened in the morning or on the day after.[4] Prayers occur during the funerary ceremony and thus, those in-attendance must cover their heard.[2] Of the two prayers that are always performed at Sikh funerals, the first prayer is theArdās whilst the second prayer performed is theKirtan Sohila.[2] The Ardās, a supplicatory prayer, is performed to mark the beginning and end of major life milestones in Sikhism, such as a birth, marriage, or death, and it is performed to assist grieving individuals to move on and accept the passing by instilling strength in them.[2] The Kirtan Sohila is performed to remind all to accept death as the ultimate truth.[2] Sikh funerals tend to be public events (unless the mourning family specifies otherwise). Thus, the family, relatives, friends, acquaintances, and others are usually welcomed to attend.[2]
Whilst there is no outright religious rule regarding clothing colour, Sikhs traditionally wear white at-funerals.[2] Some diasporic Sikhs, such as in North America, have adopted the Western custom of wearing black at funerals.[2]
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Guidelines for Sikh cremation practices are laid-out in theSikh Rehat Maryada.[2] Sikhs generally practice cremation, however they may bury their dead in emergency situations.[4] Prior to cremation, the remains are washed and dressed in fresh clothing.[2] The body of anAmritdhari Sikh must be adorned with allfive Ks during the cremation.[2]
On the day of the cremation, the body is taken to theGurdwara or home whereShabads (hymns) from theGuru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Scriptures, are recited by the congregation, which induce feeling of consolation and courage.Kirtan may also be performed by Ragis while the relatives of the deceased recite "Waheguru". This service normally takes from 30 to 60 minutes. At the conclusion of the service, anArdas is said before the body is taken to the cremation site.[5]
At the point of cremation, a few Shabads are sung and final speeches are made about the deceased person. Then theKirtan Sohila (night time prayer) is recited and finallyArdas called the "Antim Ardas" ("Final Prayer") is offered. 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. This service usually lasts about 30 to 60 minutes.
The ashes are later collected and immersed in a body of water. Sikhs do not erect monuments over the remains of the dead.[dubious –discuss]
After the cremation ceremony, there may be another service at theGurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, called theSahaj PaathBhog Ceremony.
After the death of a Sikh, the family of the deceased may undertake a non-continuous reading of the entireGuru Granth Sahib (known as aSahaj Paath), known as aSahaj Paath Bhog ceremony.[2] The ceremony is performed by agranthi or any learned-man.[6] This reading (paath) is timed to conclude within ten days after the funeral. The reading may be undertaken at home or in the Gurdwara and usually takes place on the day of the cremation. The conclusion of this ceremony called theBhog Ceremony marks the end of the mourning period.
Generally, all the relatives and friends of the family gather together for the Bhog ceremony on the completion of the reading ofGuru Granth Sahib. Musicians sing appropriate Shabad hymns,Saloks of the ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur are read, and Ramkali Saad, the Call of God, is recited. After the final prayer, a selected reading or Hukam is taken, andKarah Parshad is distributed to the congregation. Normally food from the Guru's kitchen,Langar, is also served.
After the completion of the sehaj pāth, the ashes of the deceased are taken to a flowing body of water to be dispersed by close family.[2] If it is not possible to disperse the ashes in flowing water, then they may be buried.[2] There is no religious requirement for the ashes to be dispersed at any particular location or site, but it has become a popular tradition amongst Sikhs to disperse them atKiratpur into theSutlej river, specifically at Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib.[2][7] However, Sikhs can disperse the ashes in any flowing body of water and there are no restrictions on which flowing body of water the ashes must be dispersed in or where it must occur.[2] Historically, many Sikhs traditionally used to disperse the ashes of the deceased at Haridwar, wheregenealogical records were maintained, however going to this specific site fell out of favour with many Sikhs, as Sikhism does not encourage or emphasize any particular place.[2] Keeping the ashes in a specific place and memorializing them is forbidden in Sikhism, as Sikhs are supposed to let-go of emotional attachment to the dead and focus on the present rather than the past.[2]
Whilst Hindus generally immerse the ashes of their departed into the Ganges river, such at Haridwar, which is performed by the closest male-relative, Sikhs on the other-hand generally immerse the ashes of their deceased family into the Sutlej river at Kiratpur.[6] As per Sikh hagiographical accounts,Guru Amar Das convinced theMughal emperorAkbar to relinquish the pilgrimage tax on Hindus travelling to Haridwar.[8]
