Sikh Funeral Traditions: Antam Sanskar Explained

A Sikh funeral is called antam sanskar, meaning "last rites". The body is bathed, dressed and cremated, with hymns, Kirtan Sohila and a final prayer (Ardas). The family then holds a reading of the Guru Granth Sahib that is completed on the tenth day, and the ashes are immersed in flowing water. Sikh teaching discourages loud grief and does not allow a monument for the person.

What is antam sanskar?

Antam sanskar is the funeral ceremony of Sikhism. Its guidance comes from the Sikh Rehat Maryada, the code of conduct issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which devotes Article XIX to funeral ceremonies. Families, gurdwaras and communities differ in the details, so the family and the local gurdwara are your best guides.

The name looks like the Hindu rite antim sanskar, but the two traditions have their own customs. For the Hindu rites, see Antim sanskar: Hindu last rites explained.

How is the body prepared?

The Rehat Maryada says the body should be bathed and dressed in clean clothes. If the person was an initiated (Amritdhari) Sikh, the Five Ks stay on the body. The Rehat Maryada names the four items that must not be taken off: the kangha (comb), kachha (undergarment), karha (steel bracelet) and kirpan (small sword). The fifth K, kesh, is uncut hair.

If a funeral home or hospital is caring for the body, tell staff early that these items must stay with the person. Ask them to confirm in writing, and ask whether the family may help with bathing and dressing.

What happens at the funeral and cremation?

The Rehat Maryada gives a short outline, and communities add their own customs.

1. Gathering. The body is taken to the gurdwara or home, where hymns (shabads) from the Guru Granth Sahib are sung.
2. Procession. Hymns accompany the body to the cremation place. In the diaspora this is usually a crematorium.
3. Lighting the fire. The Rehat Maryada says a son or any other relative or friend of the person should set fire to the pyre. In a crematorium, a relative usually starts the cremation.
4. Prayers. When the pyre is fully alight, Kirtan Sohila, the bedtime prayer, is recited, followed by Ardas, the final prayer.

Cremation may take place at any convenient time, day or night. The Rehat Maryada does not set a deadline, and it says a person should be cremated however young they were. If cremation cannot be arranged, it says there should be no qualm about immersing the body in flowing water or dealing with it in another way.

See what happens during cremation for how a crematorium works and what family members can ask for.

What happens after the cremation?

Afterward, the family arranges a reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib. Two forms are common. An Akhand Path is read continuously, and a Sehaj Path is read in stages. The Rehat Maryada says the reading should be completed on the tenth day, usually at the gurdwara or the family home. When it ends, the congregation gathers for the bhog ceremony with final prayers and hymns, Karah Parshad (blessed food) is shared, and a langar (community meal) is usually served. The langar is vegetarian.

The Rehat Maryada says grieving loudly, with cries or beating the chest, goes against Sikh teaching. That does not mean mourners must hide sadness. It reflects a teaching of acceptance, and families often find comfort in the prayers and the support of the sangat (congregation).

What happens to the ashes?

The Rehat Maryada says that once the pyre has burned out, the ashes, including the burnt bones, are gathered and immersed in flowing water, or buried and the ground levelled.

Many Sikhs choose Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib at Kiratpur in Punjab, on the Sutlej river, but Sikhism does not require any one place. In the US and UK, families often use a local river or the sea. Check local rules and any permits before you scatter ashes. Our ash scattering rules checker and the guide to scattering ashes in the UK can help.

Are memorials allowed?

No. The Rehat Maryada says raising a monument to the person at the place of cremation is not permitted. Sikh teaching treats the body as a shell, and the person's soul as their real essence. Families remember loved ones through prayer and the scripture reading rather than a headstone or shrine. If you are arranging a funeral for a Sikh relative, ask your funeral director how to handle any memorial options.

What to expect as a guest

• What to wear. White is traditional, but there is no strict rule, and many families in the US and UK accept dark, plain clothing. Keep your shoulders and legs covered.
• Head and feet. At a gurdwara or prayer hall, visitors are normally asked to cover their heads and remove their shoes. A scarf or large handkerchief is fine. Ask the family if you are unsure.
• Behavior. Keep a calm, quiet manner. Follow what other guests do when the congregation stands, sits or bows.
• Food. The gurdwara's langar serves only lacto-vegetarian food to everyone. Ask the family before bringing any food or gift to their home.

Our guides on funeral etiquette and what to wear to a funeral have more general advice. For a wider view of how families blend customs, see cultural funeral considerations.

Arranging a Sikh funeral with a funeral director

You can usually have both a gurdwara service and a crematorium service. In the US, the FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to get a General Price List and to buy only the services you want, and an alternative container is allowed for cremation. A good first call is to the gurdwara, then to the funeral home or crematorium.

What to do next

1. Contact your local gurdwara. They can advise on timing, the scripture reading and who can help with bathing and dressing.
2. Tell the funeral home or crematorium that the Five Ks must stay with the person, and ask what accommodations they can offer for family presence and prayers.
3. Get the General Price List in writing and compare providers.
4. Decide where the ashes will go and check the rules for that place.