At the Moment of Death

1. The body of the dead or dying person if they are in a bed should not be taken off and placed on the floor.
2. Only hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib should be recited or "Waheguru, Waheguru" (Wonderous Lord) repeated.

Showing of Grief

1. When a person dies, Sikhs should not grieve or make public displays of grief such as crying, wailing or breast beating.
2. Organized lamentation by women in a group is forbidden.
3. A Sikh should realize that death is God's will. To induce a mood of resignation to God's will, one can recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib or repeat "Waheguru" (Wonderous Lord).

Disposal of the Body

1. Although cremation is the preferred method of disposal, it is not mandatory.
2. Where cremation is not available or cannot be arranged, the body may be buried or immersed in water or disposed of in any other manner.
3. If the body is cremated all of the bones and ashes should be gathered up and immersed in flowing water or buried.
4. If cremated the bones should be immersed in any body of water. No place is considered 'sacred' or 'special' for disposal of the bones.
5. If a body or cremated remains are to be buried the erection of any monument, gravestone or marker to the memory of the deceased person at that site is forbidden.

Funeral Ceremony

1. No consideration should be given to conducting the cremation at any special time or day. It does not matter when the ceremony occurs of whether it is done at night time or daytime.
2. The dead body should be bathed and clothed in clean clothes. While this is done the physical articles of the Sikh faith should not be removed.
3. After the body is put in a coffin, Ardas (general Sikh prayer) about it being taken away for disposal should be offered.
4. As the body is being taken to the cremation grounds, hymns that induce feelings of detachment should be recited.
5. After reaching the cremation grounds and after suitable preparations have been made Ardas (general Sikh prayer) should be offered for consigning the body to the fire.
6. The body is then to be placed on the pyre or equivalent platform and the son or any family member of close friend of the deceased should start the fire or begin the cremation process.
7. The congregation should listen to kirtan (singing of hymns by musicians) or carry on collective singing of hymns which induce feelings of detachment.
8. When the pyre is fully aflame, Kirtan Sohila (Sikh prayer) should be recited and Ardas offered. This concludes the ceremony at the funeral grounds. The congregation should now leave.
9. Upon returning home the family should begin a non-continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib at home or in a nearby Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship).
   
10. The reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib should be completed on the tenth day or any other day convenient to the family.
11. The reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib should be carried out by members of the household of the deceased and relatives.
12. If possible, Kirtan (singing of hymns by musicians) may be held every night.
13. The ceremony is concluded by finishing the reading, reciting the six stanzas of Anand Sahib (Sikh prayer), offering Ardas and distribution of karah prashad to the congregation. No further funeral ceremonies remain to be performed after this.

Used with permission.

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