What is the meaning of the dead person being bathed?
Why are we bathed after death before funeral?
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What is the meaning of the dead person being bathed?
It is just manmat, it has nothing to do with Gurbani. Because Gurbani says,
ਜੇ ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਚੰਦਨੁ ਚੜਾਵੈ।।
ਉਸ ਤੇ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਵਨ ਫਲ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
ਜੇ ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਉ ਬਿਸਟਾ ਮਾਹਿ ਰੁਲਾਈ ॥
ਤਾਂ ਮਿਰਤਕ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਘਟਿ ਜਾਈ ।।(1160)
Meaning, If a corpse is anointed with sandalwood oil, what good does it do? If a corpse is rolled in manure, what does it lose from this?
So these are just meaningless things.
There is no fundamental meaning in respect to the Rehat for a Sikh to bath their dead. This is simply a matter of hygiene and respect and has no relation with the Sikh cannon.
Antam Sanskar is the final passage or rite of a living person (jeevan). This is simply transcendence of the soul continuing its journey so only the body dies. We refer to this as ਆਵਣੁ ਜਾਣਾ, Aaavan Jaanaa which continues until the soul joins with that of Akhal Purakh (ਮੋਖੁ ਦੁਆਰੁ, Mokh Du-aar).
Sukhmani, naam japna and/or Sahaj Paath Bhog along with Ardaasa may be recited if the family so wish.
There are no ritualistic conditions of a sikh burial nor a particular part of the water to throw ashes.
“Birth and death are subject to the Command of the Lord’s Will; through His Will we come and go. Eating and drinking are pure, since the Lord gives nourishment to all” (SGGS page 472)
“Whatever has been created shall be destroyed; everyone shall perish, today or tomorrow. O Nanak, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and give up all other entanglements” (SGGS page 1429).
Ask yourself, if someone dies in the bath, why would you need to bath them? These are rituals which have crept in to Sikhi. In reality, nothing as such is required.