For this reason, after a person has died the body is considered to be an 'empty vessel' and the process of cremation is preferred as it allows the soul to detach from the body and reunite with God. A sikh funeral involves a range of different traditions.
Sikh cremation
As with many Asian religions, Sikhs believe that the physical body serves no purpose but to house the soul. For that reason, cremation is usually preferred, but burying is also accepted. However, no headstone or monument is allowed.
Cremation is preferred for Sikh funerals in India. Outside India, it is done with outdoor funeral pyres. In Sikhism, burial or any other means to dispose of the body are acceptable if the circumstances do not allow for cremation. After the cremation, the ashes are usually scattered in the river or sea.
At 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. When a death occurs, they should exclaim "Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru" (the Wonderful Lord).
Life After Death: Sikhs believe that upon death one merges back into the universal nature, just as a drop of rain merges back into the ocean. Individuality is lost. Sikhs do not believe in heaven or hell. Heaven can be experienced by being in tune with God while still alive.
Initiated Sikhs are required to carry/maintain at all times: kesh (unshorn hair covered by a turban), kara (steel bracelet), kanga (small wooden comb), kacchera (undershorts), and a kirpan (resembles a knife/sword).
Ever since the founding of the faith more than 500 years ago, Sikhs have used 'Allah' to refer to God as well as many other terms. The word 'Allah' appears repeatedly in their Holy Book. The religion is epitomised by the Mool Mantar that appears as the first verse in the Sikh Holy Book.
The first aspect is, forgiveness of sins. From a Sikh perspective, we believe that Christ can forgive sins because we believe that God and the Guru can forgive sins. We believe that saints of high spiritual level have this ability.
There are no specific mourning periods or rituals observed by Sikhs. The return to the Gurdwara may be timed to coincide with the completion of the recitation of Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Granth Sahib can take up to 48 hours and will be read often by members of the priestly class leading up to this time.
In Sikhism, when a person passes, they have taken the next step on the journey to becoming one with God (Waheguru). This is a cycle, as all souls were once a part of God, they will return to God. The body is merely a vessel on this journey. Since the soul cannot die, Sikhs do not mourn the decedent.
Both men and women should wear smart clothes to a Sikh funeral service, and should avoid showing too much skin. The Sikh colour of mourning is white, but subdued colours are also acceptable, with no patterns or bright colours. Sikhs will always cover their heads for a funeral.
The cremated remains of the deceased are then taken and scattered on a river. If the family of the deceased chooses to have a burial for the body, then the grave should not have a monument to mark it due to the belief that it is simply clothing that the soul sheds away in their cycle of life.
Hindus believe that burning the body, and, hence, destroying it, helps the departed soul get over any residual attachment it may have developed for the deceased person. In fact, all the Dharmic faiths —Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism — believe in some variation of this fundamental principle.
Of all world religions, Islam is probably the most strongly opposed to cremation. Unlike Judaism and Christianity, there is little diversity of opinion about it. Cremation is considered by Islam to be an unclean practice.
Cremation is prohibited under Islamic law because, unlike in some cultures, it is considered a violation of the dignity of the human body. Based on reports attributed to Prophet Muhammed it is mustaḥab (or preferred)—i.e., not farḍ/wājib (compulsory)—to bury the dead bodies quickly.
In fact, Hinduism is the only religion that mandates cremation, which is known as antim sanskar, or last rites. It is usually performed within 24 hours of death or as soon as possible, due to the fact that Hinduism also doesn't traditionally use embalming or other preservation tactics.
What do Sikhs do with ashes after cremation? Sikhs will usually travel to Punjab to scatter the ashes of the deceased in Kiratpur Sahib Gurdwara in Rupnagar District, Punjab. Kiratpur is a sacred place to the Sikhs as its foundation was laid and established by the Gurus.
Sikhs celebrate the anniversaries of their Gurus by holding akhand path (reciting of the Holy Scripture within forty-eight hours in relays) in gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship). On the final day speeches are given on their life and contributions.
Sikhs also prefer cremation and don't traditionally memorialize a loved one with a monument, though they may scatter cremated remains if possible. A religious ceremony at the funeral home will occur before a cremation, which includes prayer and song. This may be followed by speeches from family and friends.
They are required to wear the Five Ks and to avoid four particular sins: cutting one's hair, eating halal meat, having sexual intercourse with anyone other than one's spouse, and using tobacco. The Sikh who commits any of these cardinal sins must publicly confess and be reinitiated.
In Sikhism, it is strongly believed that adultery is not merely a betrayal of mutual faith, which is the foundation of married life but also an unjust, sinful, unethical and blasphemous act. Adultery is a severe violation of Sikh ethical code of conduct.
Sikhism is closer to Hinduism than Islam as it retains Hindi theories of karma and reincarnation, even though Sikhism foundations are closer to Islam as it advocates monotheism.
Sikhism does not require circumcision of either males or females, and criticizes the practice. In Islam, no verse in the Quran supports male or female circumcision (FGM/C). Male circumcision is a widespread practice and considered mandatory for Muslim males according to Sunnah.
The word Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, many practitioners refer to their religion as Sanātana Dharma (Sanskrit: सनातन धर्म, lit.
The nitnem banis are the five daily prayers of Sikhism. In the morning, after taking bath, a Sikh says Japuji Sahib, Jaap Sahib and 10 Savaiyye, Sodar Rahras Sahib in the evening and Kirtan Sohila at bedtime. These five banis are known as panj (five) banis. Ardas or prayer follows the recitation of the banis.