Sikhs Want To Put Their Ashes In The Ribble River

[killah]

Sikhs want to put their ashes in the Ribble

By Caroline Innes

river hope: Sikhs want part of the Ribble to scatter loved ones' ashes

LANCASHIRE'S Sikh community has called for part of the River Ribble to be set aside for families to put the cremated bones of their loved ones.

The Sikh religion dictates that the cremated remains of family members are immersed in the nearest flowing river.

However many Sikh families are forced to take the bones and ashes of family members back to India to be disposed of because there isn't a designated waterway.

Today Charanjit Singh Heera, general secretary of the Lancashire Sikh Association said that, while he knew that people were already scattering ashes and bones in the River Ribble, the community wanted part of the river to be a designated site to be used solely for this ceremony.

continued...

Mr Heera said: "We believe that people should be put back into the water as all water flows as one.

"We would love to see a designated place for Sikhs where we could go peacefully and privately to say our prayers and goodbyes.

"We want to be somewhere where we won't disturb people and they won't disturb us and the remains can be scattered properly in a place where they will be properly distributed in the water."

Mr Heera said that for many families taking the remains of a loved one back to India was stressful and he hoped better facilities could be provided in Lancashire.

He added: "When my parents died I had to fly back to India with their ashes.

"I was shocked and tired by the time I arrived at Delhi airport and then had a five-hour drive to the holy place where we scattering their ashes.

"It would be so nice if there was somewhere in Lancashire where families could go to do this so they didn't have to go through all that.

"It would also mean that they could go back and visit the site and remember their loved one whenever they wanted.

"I know people have already done this in the River Ribble but it would be better for everybody if there was one set spot for us to use."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency, who manage the River Ribble, said: "There is currently no a specific area, like in Bradford, where Sikhs can scatter their ashes.

"However chosing a designated space on the River Ribble is something that we will consider and we have no problems with members of the Sikh community disposing of their loved ones remains in this way."

[singh1986]

I thought Ashes had to go Kirtapur (sp?) Sahib? or is that more misinformation for me to correct!?

[mann_kaum_layee_qurbaan]

The Sikh religion dictates that the cremated remains of family members are immersed in the nearest flowing river.

where is this stated in our religion? so much fuss over ashes, geez, only if people cared this much while the people were alive.(there is a shabad about this in SGGS) That's the indian culture, fight for ashes, cows, monkeys, etc; people, naaah. the soul is gone, even the body is burned and turned to ashes, how are these people justifying this according to gurmat? I'm sure the soul is not agonzing cause their ashes have not been "blessed" with the ribble river.

also, the tradition of taking ashes to kiratpur sahib is very recent. Sikhs used to take ashes to the ganga as prescribed in hinduism. I believe when bhai sukha and jinda were martyred their families were not allowed to take the ashes to kiratpur sahib and were forced to immerse them in ganga.

peace.

[mann_kaum_layee_qurbaan]

e. The dead body should be bathed and clothed in clean clothes. While that is done, the Sikh symbols-comb, kachha, karha, kirpan-should not be taken off. Thereafter putting the body on a plank, Ardas about its being taken away for disposal be offered. The hearse should then be lifted and taken to the cremation ground. While the body is being carried to the cremation ground, hymns that induce feelings of detachment should be recited. On reaching the cremation ground, the pyre should be laid. Then the Ardas for consigning the body to fire be offered. The dead body should then be placed on the pyre and the son or any other relation or friend of the deceased should set fire to it, The accompanying congregation should sit at a reasonable distance and listen to kirtan or carry on collective singing of hymns or recitation of detachment-inducing hymns. When the pyre is fully aflame, the Kirtan Sohila (prescribed preretirement night Scriptural prayer) be recited and the Ardas offered. (Piercing the Skull half an hour or so after the pyre has been burning with a rod or something else in the belief that will secure the release of the soul- kapal kriya-is contrary to the Guru's tenets). The congregation should then leave. Coming back home, a reading of the Guru Granth Sahib should be commenced at home or in a nearby Gurdwara, and after reciting the six stanzas of the Anand Sahib, the Ardas, offered and Karhah prashad (sacred pudding) distributed. The reading of the Guru Granth Sahib should be completed on the tenth day. If the reading cannot, or is sought not to, be completed on the tenth day, some other day may be appointed for the conclusion of the reading having regard to the convenience of the relatives. The reading of the Guru Granth Sahib should be carried out by the members of the household of the deceased and relatives in cooperation. If possible, Kirtan may be held every night. No funeral ceremony remains to be performed after the "tenth day."

f. When the pyre is burnt out, the whole bulk of the ashes, including the burnt bones, should be gathered up and immersed in flowing water or buried at that very place and the ground levelled. Raising a monument to the memory of the deceased at the place where his dead body is cremated is taboo.

g. Adh Marg (the ceremony of breaking the pot used for bathing the dead body amid doleful cries half way towards the cremation ground), organised lamentation by women, foorhi (sitting on a straw mat in mourning for a certain period), diva (keeping an oil lamp lit for 360 days after the death in the belief that that will light the path of the deceased), Pind (ritual donating of lumps of rice flour, oat flour, or solidified milk (khoa) for ten days after death), kirya (concluding the funeral proceedings ritualistically, serving meals and making offerings by way of Shradh, Budha marna (waving of whisk, over the hearse of an old person's dead body and decorating the hearse with festoons), etc. are contrary to the approved code. So too is the picking of the burnt bones from the ashes of the pyre for immersing in the Ganga, at Patalpuri (Kiratpur), at Kartarpur Sahib or at any other such place.

Other Rites and Conventions

http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_...hap_eleven.html

[Laadli Fauj]

it don't matter if u put them in the dribble or the hudson or the mississippi, or Kiratpur Sahib. Guru Hargobind Sahib ji designated Kiratpur Sahib to get ppul away from ganga.

[GABROO KHALISTAN DAH]

does it matter where the ashes go? a whole <admin-profanity filter activated> load of carbon thats what it is .