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Summary of Question:	As A Nurse How Would I Look After A Dying Sikh And During Death?
Category:	Health
Date Posted:	Friday, 4/25/2003 6:37 AM MDT

I am a nurse within critical care unit, in a multicultural society. We have identified as a unit we lack information and cultural customs when a sikh patient has died. We feel we would like to uphold peoples relgion and customs to the very end and to help with the family loss. Thanks if you can improve our nursing practice.

Sarah Melia
Staff nurse
Critcal care.
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Reply
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Dear Sarah Melia.
Thank you for asking.

When a Sikh is ailing, suffering, dying, it is appropriate for some one to read the Sukhmani Sahib to them. Sukhmani Sahib means, the song of peace. This can be found on tape, cd, as well as in the Sikh Gutka or prayer book. This is a prayer of bliss and speaks to the soul of the suffering one.

If there is family, I will ask them to take turns reading the Sukhmani Sahib by the person's bedside. If there is no family around, I will have a tape or CD player to play this prayer continuously. I have found it to be helpful for anyone in deep need. You can also play Gurbani kirtan which is Sikh music.

You can get a set of recited Sukhmani Sahib in English and Gurmukhi from www.cherdikalamusic.com

When a Sikh passes, you can call upon a Granthi or Priest from the Gurdwara. It is customary to wash the body in yogurt and then to cremate it with its 5 symbols of faith...the kara(steel wrist bagle)kirpan(small sword), kanga(wooden comb),katchera(cotton underwear)kesh(uncut hair).

There is a chapter on dying in the section on Sikhnet called"Victory & Virtue...Ceremonies and conduct of Sikh Dharma".

God bless you in your work and in your caring.

Sincerely yours,
SKKK