Questions to Ask a Granthi and Gurdwara When Planning a Sikh Funeral

Why the First Call to the Gurdwara Matters More Than the Funeral Home Call

Most diaspora families phone the funeral home first. The gurdwara call is actually more time-sensitive — the Granthi's schedule, the hall's availability, and the gurdwara management committee's rules shape every other booking in the chain. Get this locked in within 12 hours of the death, ideally before you've confirmed the crematorium slot.

The gurdwara isn't just a venue. The Granthi (the custodian and reader of the Guru Granth Sahib) leads scripture readings, coordinates volunteer readers for the Paath, and recites the formal Ardas on behalf of the family. The management committee controls which rooms are available, what can happen where, and when volunteers are free to set up Langar.

Questions for the Granthi

On the Paath:

• Will you be available to begin the Sehaj Paath or Akhand Paath on [target date]? If not, who can we arrange as the lead reader?
• For an Akhand Paath, how many trained readers does the gurdwara have available for the 48-hour relay? If the roster is thin, would you recommend Sehaj Paath instead?
• Can family members read sections of the Paath themselves, or does this gurdwara prefer trained Paathis only?

On the ceremony:

• Will you attend the crematorium service to lead the Kirtan Sohila and Antim Ardas? (Not all Granthis travel to the crematorium — some gurdwaras send a different volunteer.)
• Are there any specific Shabads the family can request for the service, or does the gurdwara follow a standard funeral programme?
• The family would like to do [specific tradition — e.g., Rasam Pagri turban ceremony]. Is this something you can facilitate on the day of the Bhog?

On protocol:

• If conservative family members request non-Sikh customs (oil lamps, Terahvin observances, etc.), can you help explain the Rehat Maryada position? Having the Granthi's backing makes it much easier to redirect these requests without family conflict.

Questions for the Gurdwara Management Committee

On the anteroom and body logistics:

• Where exactly does the coffin go? The body does not enter the Darbar Sahib (the main prayer hall where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed) — this is a fixed rule, not negotiable. But the exact anteroom, corridor, or side room varies by gurdwara, and you need to tell your funeral director precisely where to deliver the coffin.
• Is there a separate entrance for the coffin, or does it come through the main lobby?
• Is the space heated, covered, and large enough for the immediate family and accompanying congregation to gather for prayers before the procession to the crematorium?

On scheduling and logistics:

• What dates and times are available for the Bhog ceremony? Is there a conflict with another family's booking or a weekly event?
• Can the gurdwara kitchen volunteers prepare Langar for the post-crematorium gathering on that date? How many guests can you accommodate? Who should we contact to coordinate the menu and timing?
• Does the gurdwara have a noticeboard or community WhatsApp group where we can post the funeral announcement?

On rules and restrictions:

• Are photographs or video permitted in the anteroom? What about in the Darbar Sahib during the Bhog?
• Can non-Sikh attendees (interfaith spouses, work colleagues) sit in the Darbar Sahib for the Bhog, or is there a separate seating arrangement?
• Are there any fees or customary donations expected for gurdwara use? (This isn't always posted publicly — ask directly so you can plan the family's contribution.)

Don't Assume — Ask

Every gurdwara operates slightly differently. A large, purpose-built gurdwara in Southall or Surrey has different capacity and staffing than a converted shopfront in a smaller city. The questions above aren't meant to be adversarial — they're the practical logistics that make the difference between a calm, dignified ceremony and a stressed coordinator improvising on the day.

Write down the answers. The coordinator is often fielding calls from a dozen relatives simultaneously, and details get lost under grief. The Sikh Funeral Guide includes a printable gurdwara coordination checklist and a funeral director communication worksheet that covers these questions in a format you can fill in as you make the calls.