This is because through reincarnation, the soul has already passed into another body and therefore it is only the shell that remains. Instead, to commemorate their loved one, Sikhs will scatter the ashes of the deceased over water or a place of significance.
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.
According to Hindu and Sikh ritual, the ashes of cremated bodies must be scattered in the sea, or in waters that flow to the sea, to transport them to the next life. The Ganges is personified in Hinduism as a goddess and Hindus believe that if a person's ashes are scattered in it that their next life will be improved.
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).
Sikhism does not subscribe to any mourning periods or mourning rituals after the death of a loved one. Starting on the day of death, the bereaved family will carry out a devotional reading of the entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture.
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).
Sikhs believe that: The atma is given to a being by Waheguru . It is also recognised as the divine spark , which is a part of Waheguru within them. At death, the atmas of both humans and animals are reborn into a new body as part of the cycle of rebirth.
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 soul uses the body (life and death) in its journey back to God from where it came. Sikhs prefer cremation over all other ways of disposal. Other methods (including burial in the ground or at sea) are permitted if the cremation is impossible. The cremated remains are typically submerged in a river.
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.
The Hindu belief is that if a deceased's ashes are laid in the Ganges at Varanasi, their soul will be transported to heaven and escape the cycle of rebirth.
The most obvious symbolic meaning represented by scattering ashes is letting go. As you release the ashes into the water or over the earth, you are literally letting go of your loved one. This can be an important step in your grieving process.
When ashes are scattered, there is no land used as a burial site, so it can be a choice that helps convey the loved one's and/or family's concern for the environment. Some cultures view the act of scattering as a way of freeing the soul or spirit.
In Hindu belief, a departed soul gains complete peace after the deceased's ashes are immersed in Ganges. As the curfew will end, people will take these urns to the Gangs ghats. Meanwhile, the Sikhs are being allowed to go to Kiratpur Sahib to immerse the ashes of the deceased.”
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.
To help bring salvation to the soul of the deceased, the ceremonies of Asthi visarjan are carried out at Vishranti Tirth or the Bodhini, Vayu.
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.
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.
Rain after a funeral is another good omen. The rain symbolizes heaven washing away grief and sorrow. It also signifies cleansing and eternal life for the deceased. For mourners, rain after the funeral gives them peace that the departed is celebrating in heaven.
White is considered appropriate in many cultures to symbolise purity, as well as, in some religions, oneness with God, or eternal life in others. Sikh women generally wear white clothes for mourning, although sometimes they wear black.
Saluja is a devout Sikh and, as such, adheres to Kesh, one of the strongest pillars of his religion in which one's hair is allowed to grow out of respect for the perfection of god's creation. Sikh men do not cut or even trim their hair or their beards. “It is an essential part of being a Sikh,” says Dr. Saluja.
Drinking alcohol is often associated with the Punjabi culture, but is prohibited in Sikhism. Baptised Sikhs are forbidden from drinking but some non-baptised Sikhs do consume alcohol. Whilst the vast majority of those who do drink have no problem, a small number of Punjabi Sikh women are affected.
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.
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.
In Sikhism, a person gains good and bad karma throughout their life. Karma determines what happens to that individual's atma in the next life. Sikhs believe that: Positive and moral actions lead to good karma, and negative and immoral actions lead to bad karma.