Offering a respectful farewell to the departed soul after demise is the only way to express reverence and gratitude towards the soul. The last rites help the departed soul obtain peace and salvation. Along with it, these rituals help the mourners accept the loss of a life. In each religion, there's a certain way to perform last rites.

Here in this article, we'll know about the customs followed by a Punjabi Family during the funeral and cremation of a beloved one's demise in depth.

What does the Punjabi community believe about Death?

In the Punjabi or Sikh community, death is not just a phase of sorrow. They celebrate the departed soul's reunion with their God 'Waheguru'. Hence, funerals in the Sikh and Punjabi communities are a balance between mourning and celebrating. They also believe that death will help break the cycle of reincarnation. According to the sacred scriptures of Sikhism, through good and kind acts, honesty, and Waheguru’s grace, the departed soul will eventually leave this worldly realm to be united with the ‘Wondrous Giver of Knowledge’ - Waheguru.

What happens in a Punjabi or Sikh Funeral rite?

In the Punjabi community, the term "Antam Sanskaar" conveys the meaning of "final rite" or "the last rite of passage. The funeral rites is considered as a combination of celebrating the reunion of the soul with God, along with concentrating on the suffering or pain of losing of a beloved one. 

There are several locations, such as the departed person's family's home, the gurdwara, the outdoors, or the crematorium, where the close ones may host the funeral service.  In addition to the two daily prayers, "Japji" and "Kirtan Sohila," a Sikh funeral customarily involves the communal prayer, "Ardas."  The mourning family is discouraged from chanting long or passionate hymns because it is a very religious service.  They feel that this practice will opposes the idea that the body is just a temporary home for the soul.

What is preferred in the Punjabi Community or Sikhism for disposing of the dead body - Burial or Cremation?

The followers of sikh and punjabi community prefers Cremation over Burial. Several Shamshan Bhumi or Cremation Ground welcomes sikh and punjabi community people to perform a dignified cremation of their beloved one who has just left this worldly realm. There is nothing like a seperate Punjabi Cremation Ground or Place, any hindu cremation ground or crematorium is ideal for the cremation rite of a Punjabi or Sikh community follower.

What is the Stepwise procedure of executing a dignified cremation according to the Sikh and Punjabi community?

1. Preparation of the dead body before cremation:

The deceased body is washed/cleaned/bathed and then dressed in white clean clothes. The family members use specific colored clothes and ornaments depending on religious traditions.

2. Funeral Procession:

The body is carried to the crematorium or other appointed final resting location/venue in a procession that frequently consists of relatives, friends, known colleagues and neighbors, etc. For a dignified funeral procession, the family of the departed person hires a well-decorated final journey vehicle as well.

3. Prayers (Ardaas) and Chanting the sacred hymns:

The family members of the departed person choose a peaceful location, such as a quiet place in a Gurudwara, home or an outdoor location to offer a sacred prayer, which is known as Ardaas in Punjabi and the Sikh Community. It is believed that Ardaas helps the departed soul obtain peace, salvation and a place near Waheguru.

4. Igniting / Lighting the Pyre or Initiating Cremation ritual:

In the Sikh or Punjabi community, the eldest son or a close male relative is allowed to ignite or light the pyre. This is considered the traditional wooden cremation. In several cities, eco-friendly cremation, such as Electric Cremation or CNG Cremation, is frequently chosen by the people. This takes less time than the traditional wooden cremation.

5. Collection of Ashes or the last memories of the deceased person:

Once the cremation ritual is done, whether it is traditional or an advanced electric or CNG Cremation, the ashes can be collected in an earthen urn or vessel.

6. Disposition of Ashes at a sacred place:

The ashes after the cremation ritual are often scattered in a river, ocean, or other sacred holy water place, or kept in a beautiful urn for remembrance, according to the religious beliefs and traditions of the deceased's culture.

7.  Rituals performed after the cremation:

The cremation may be followed by certain rites, such as the Sikh prayer known as ardas or the Hindu ritual known as shraddha.

Depending on regional customs, religious traditions, and cultural practices, these procedures or steps, or ceremonies, may vary.  For example, depending on religious customs, Hindu funerals may include prayers and rituals like the shraddha ceremony, whereas Sikh funerals frequently feature prayers like Sukhmani Sahib or Japji Sahib, or Ardaas, etc.