Sikh Funerals
Compassionate, respectful guidance for Sikh families, with practical support for traditional customs, family attendance and funeral arrangements carried out with dignity and care.
Supporting Sikh Families with Care and Understanding
At Jennifer Ashe & Son Funeral Directors, we understand the importance of honouring faith, family traditions and personal wishes when arranging a Sikh funeral. Our role is to support families with sensitivity and professionalism, while helping to ensure that the arrangements reflect the customs and beliefs that matter most to them.
We appreciate that every family is different and that traditions may vary slightly from one family to another. We will always take the time to listen carefully, understand your wishes and work closely with you to create a funeral that feels respectful, fitting and true to your loved one.
Understanding Sikh Funeral Customs
Sikh funerals are usually centred around prayer, remembrance, family participation and acceptance of Waheguru’s will. In Sikh tradition, cremation is generally the usual funeral custom, although young children may sometimes be buried depending on family wishes and circumstances.
In the Punjab, funerals may often take place very quickly, sometimes on the day of death. In the UK, arrangements may take slightly longer to allow family members to travel, for paperwork to be completed and for the funeral to be coordinated with the Gurdwara and crematorium.
In many Sikh funerals, the service will begin at the Gurdwara, where prayers and readings may take place, before moving on to the crematorium for the committal. We understand the importance of this order of service and can help families plan the day carefully, ensuring everything runs smoothly and respectfully.
Prayers and Family Involvement
When someone is approaching the end of life, close family members may gather around them to offer comfort, prayer and reassurance. Some families may recite Sukhmani Sahib, often known as the Hymn of Peace, and the person who is dying may be encouraged to focus on Waheguru.
Following death, the family may wish for their loved one to be washed and dressed in accordance with Sikh custom. This can include dressing the deceased in traditional clothing and ensuring the arrangements are carried out with dignity, privacy and respect.
We recognise that these moments are deeply meaningful for families, and our team will do everything possible to provide the time, space and support needed.
Wash and Dress Facilities
We are able to provide wash and dress facilities at our Head Office in Willenhall, where the family of the deceased are welcome to attend the day before the funeral to carry out ritual washing and dressing.
This is something we understand can be a very important part of the funeral process, and we will do all we can to make the arrangements as smooth and respectful as possible.
Viewing Appointments
Viewing, washing and dressing appointments take place during office hours, which are 08:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday.
Weekend appointments may also be available at an additional cost, to allow for the provision of staff and facilities outside normal working hours.
The Gurdwara and Crematorium
For many Sikh families, the coffin is taken to the Gurdwara before the crematorium. The coffin may be placed respectfully before the Guru Granth Sahib while prayers and hymns are recited.
After the Gurdwara service, the funeral will usually continue to the crematorium. During this part of the funeral, further prayers may be said, and families may wish to observe particular customs or moments of reflection.
Our team can help coordinate the journey from the family home or funeral home to the Gurdwara, and then from the Gurdwara to the crematorium, ensuring that timings, transport and the order of the day are carefully planned.
How We Can Help on the Day of the Funeral
Collection and Care
We will bring your loved one into our care with dignity and respect, and guide you through each stage of the arrangements clearly and sensitively.
Gurdwara to Crematorium
We understand that the funeral service will usually begin at the Gurdwara before moving on to the crematorium, and we will help organise the timing and order of the day accordingly.
Family Attendance
We can support families who wish to attend for viewing, washing and dressing, and will make every effort to provide a calm and respectful environment for this important part of the process.
Personal Guidance
Our team will talk everything through with you carefully, from practical arrangements to transport, timings and any specific religious or cultural wishes your family would like observed.
After the Funeral
After the cremation, many Sikh families return to the Gurdwara for further prayers. The Anand Sahib may be sung and the Ardas may be offered, followed by the sharing of Karah Parshad.
In the days following the funeral, some families may choose to spend time at home in prayer and reflection. Others may arrange for readings from the Guru Granth Sahib, either at home or at the Gurdwara. In some families, a complete reading, known as an Akhand Path, may be arranged as part of the period of remembrance.
We understand that these customs can be an important part of the family’s grieving and remembrance, and we will support you with care and respect throughout the funeral arrangements.
Facilities at Our Willenhall Head Office
Our Head Office in Willenhall is where we are able to offer the facilities for family wash and dress arrangements. We recognise the importance of having an appropriate and respectful space for this, and our team will help ensure the arrangements are made with privacy and care.
A Respectful and Flexible Approach
We understand that Sikh funerals often involve important family participation and customs that require careful handling. Our aim is always to support you in a way that feels respectful, practical and reassuring, while taking the pressure off your family wherever we can.
If there are particular customs, timings or arrangements your family would like followed, please let us know. We will always do our best to accommodate your wishes and work with you to create the right arrangements for your loved one.
Speak to Our Team
If you would like to discuss a Sikh funeral, or would like advice on viewing, wash and dress arrangements, please contact your nearest branch below.