Antam Sanskar
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Antam Sanskar (Gurmukhi: ਅੰਤਮ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ atama sasakāra) refers to the
In Sikhism, death is considered a natural process and God's will or Hukam. 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 in reincarnation. The soul 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.
Sikh practices around death
Before death
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).
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 washed while those present recite the Gurmantar Waheguru or
The day of the cremation
On the day of the cremation, the body is taken to the
At the point of cremation, a few Shabads are sung and final speeches are made about the deceased person. Then the
The ashes are later collected and immersed in a body of water. Sikhs do not erect monuments over the remains of the dead.
After the cremation ceremony, there may be another service at the
Sahaj Paath Bhog Ceremony
After the death of a Sikh, the family of the deceased may undertake a non-continuous reading of the entire
Generally, all the relatives and friends of the family gather together for the Bhog ceremony on the completion of the reading of
References
- ISBN 978-0-9560728-0-1.
- ^ Sikh cremation
- S2CID 911304.