Death & Antam Sanskar

Antam Sanskar — the final farewell

As death approaches, family members may recite or play Gurbani and remember "Waheguru" quietly. After death, the body is bathed and dressed in clean clothes; for an Amritdhari Sikh, the five Kakaars remain on the body. Family and Sangat gather for Ardas before the body is taken for cremation.

At the cremation ground an Ardas is offered and the pyre is lit by a son, relative or friend while the Sangat listens to Kirtan; when the pyre is fully aflame, Kirtan Sohila is recited and Ardas offered. Where cremation is not possible, other means of disposal are acceptable. Afterwards the ashes are immersed in flowing water, or buried at the cremation site with the ground levelled — no memorial is raised there.

A reading of Guru Granth Sahib Ji — often a Sahaj Paath, sometimes an Akhand Paath — is begun at home or at the Gurdwara. At its completion there is a Bhog with kirtan, Anand Sahib, Ardas and Karah Prashad, often called the Antim Ardas. After this, the family is encouraged to return to ordinary life, supported by the Sangat.

What the Sikh Rehat Maryada says

• Sikh Rehat Maryada, Article XIX (Funeral ceremonies): a dying person is not moved from the bed to the floor; no lamp is lit beside them and no cow or other gift is donated in their name. Only Gurbani is recited, or “Waheguru” repeated, near them.
• After death, loud wailing, lamentation and breast-beating are to be avoided; family and friends recite Gurbani or repeat “Waheguru”, accepting the Divine will.
• The body is cremated, whatever the age of the person. Where cremation is not possible, it may be immersed in flowing water or disposed of in another way. Cremation may take place at any time, day or night.
• The body is bathed and dressed in clean clothes; the Kakaars (kachhera, kanga, kara, kirpan) are not removed. Ardas is offered before the body is carried out, and shabads that inspire detachment are recited on the way.
• At the cremation ground Ardas is offered before the pyre is lit; a son, relative or friend lights it. The Sangat sits at a distance and listens to or sings Kirtan; when the pyre is fully aflame, Kirtan Sohila is recited and Ardas offered.
• A reading of Guru Granth Sahib Ji is begun at home or in a nearby Gurdwara, done together by family and relatives, ideally concluded by the tenth day (it may be later for convenience), with Kirtan in the evenings. At its conclusion, the six pauris of Anand Sahib are recited, Ardas is offered and Karah Prashad distributed. No further ceremonies are held after that.
• Piercing the skull of the burning body (kapal kriya) is contrary to the Guru’s teaching.
• All the ashes and remains are gathered and immersed in flowing water, or buried at the cremation site and the ground levelled. Raising a memorial at the place of cremation is not allowed.
• The Rehat Maryada lists these as contrary to the Sikh way: adh marg (breaking a pitcher half-way), organised lamentation (siapa), phoorhi (sitting on a mat in mourning), diva (a lamp lit for the departed), pind, kiriya and shraadh, budha marna (decorating the bier of an elderly person), and picking the bones to take to the Ganga, Patalpuri, Kartarpur or any other place.

Regional & family customs

• Chautha, kiriya or rasam pagri — gatherings held on particular days after a death; practised in many families; the Sikh Rehat Maryada says no ceremonies are to be held after the Bhog, and it names kiriya among practices contrary to the Sikh way.
• Barsi — an annual remembrance; some families hold a path or Ardas, others do not. It is a family custom.
• Wearing white or subdued colours — a widespread custom; the Sikh Rehat Maryada prescribes no special mourning colour.
• Taking the ashes or bones to Patalpuri (Kiratpur Sahib), the Ganga or another sacred place — widely practised, but the Sikh Rehat Maryada lists it among practices contrary to the Sikh way; it asks for immersion in any flowing water or burial at the cremation site.
• Tying a turban on the eldest son (dastaar bandi) at the Bhog — a custom in some regions to mark his new responsibilities.

What families can do

1. Contact your local Gurdwara early; they can guide you on the Ardas, the Sahaj Paath and practical arrangements.
2. Keep Gurbani playing softly at home in the days after a death; it can steady the whole household.
3. Share tasks among relatives and friends so the closest family can rest and grieve.
4. Let children take part in age-appropriate ways and answer their questions honestly and gently.
5. Choose simple, affordable arrangements — the Sikh farewell does not require expense or display.
6. Continue to check on the bereaved in the weeks and months after the Bhog, when support often fades.

Relevant Gurbani

Common questions

Sources & further reading