Sikhs strongly prefer cremation over any other way of disposal of the corpse, which are only used if cremation is not possible. The cremation ceremony is called the Antam Sanskaar, that can be roughly translated as the “celebration of the completion of Life”. The body is usually taken to the place of worship before cremation. Sikhs believe that the body is just the shell that contains the soul, which does not die upon the death of the body. Consequently, Sikhs accept that grieving is natural for one to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, but try to avoid public displays of weeping or wailing. The funeral is held within three days after the death. Prayers are said at the site of the cremation and short eulogies of the deceased may be said, after which the youngest son or a close relative will start the cremation. The ceremony lasts between 30 minutes and an hour.
