ABSTRACT
The Sikh community in Britain has been growing and, like many other relatively recent immigrant groups, is now ageing. It is therefore going to be more and more necessary for nursing staff to know what to do when a Sikh patient dies. There is a strong community aspect to Sikhism as well and the life of the community in the gurdwara, where all Sikhs gather, is seen as one of group activity, especially eating together. Sikhism has no priesthood at all and the communities run their own gurdwaras, providing services for all those who need them. The holy book of the Sikhs is called the Guru Granth Sahib. The symbols of faith include the Kesh, the Kangha, the Kara, the Kirpan and the Kaccha. There are some food restrictions which are binding upon Sikhs. Sikh and Hindu beliefs are very similar about the doctrine of reincarnation which affects attitudes to death quite substantially.
