10/11/2026
Similarly to Buddhism and Hinduism, Sikhism teaches that death is a natural step in the cycle of life. Sikhism calls this loop saṃsāra, which is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Therefore, death is not seen as an end, but as a transition period into a different life.
Like Buddhists, Sikhs believe that every being has lived thousands of different lives in different bodies and realms and is reborn again and again. The kind of life someone will be reborn into is determined by the karmic merit accrued in one’s previous life.
Sikhs aspire to break the cycle of saṃsāra so that the soul will become free and the will be reunited with Waheguru, the divine. Before a soul can be liberated from the cycle, they may live in over 8.4 million forms, giving them many opportunities to practice becoming free.
Sikhs believe in living a life that will ultimately lead to being free from saṃsāra,
and abide by certain values to do so. They practice non-attachment, humility and
kindness for others, and avoiding the Five Thieves which are: desire, anger, greed,
attachment, and ego.
While Sikhs do not view death as a tragedy, funerals are very important events
as they allow for the person who has died to be honored while providing opportunities for the family to grieve. Death care for Sikhs are centered around values of acceptance, humility, and devotion to God. They prioritize creating an environment of simplicity, equality, and dignity around death practices.
Visit our website to learn more about Deathcare Traditions and view the full .pdf guide here:https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/_files/ugd/6bd897_9b0d8072768b4ab78325dc4c96a45243.pdf
