Antam Sanskar

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Antam Sanskar (Gurmukhi: ਅੰਤਮ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ atama sasakāra) refers to the funeral rites in Sikhism. Antam (or Antim) means "final", while sanskar means "rite".^[1] There are three major components of a Sikh funeral: the crematorium, the gurdwara ceremony, and the scattering of the ashes.^[2] There are variations of these three components regarding timing depending on region and family, as traditions may vary.^[2] However, cremations in Indian culture usually occur within one or two days after a death but can be delayed to await the arrival of distant mourners to the ceremony.^[2] After the cremation, a religious ceremony is carried-out by the family of the dead, involving a reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, known as a Sehaj Pāth.^[2]

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. At a funeral, Sikhs are expected to keep in-composure and celebrate the deceased individual rather than mourn their death.^[2]

Cremation is the preferred method of disposal, although if it is not possible any other methods or if the person willed to be buried then burial or submergence at sea are acceptable. A memorial to the dead, gravestone, mausoleum etc. is not allowed, because the body is considered to be only the shell, the person's soul was their real essence.^[3]