Beliefs about death and dying, and life after death Sikhs believe the soul goes through a cycle of rebirths, with the ultimate objective being to break the cycle and be reunited with God. They believe that the present life is influenced by what happened in previous ones and the current life will set the scene for the next. Expression of grief Mourning amongst the family and their relatives begins immediately and is undertaken discreetly in the family home. White or light colours are worn during mourning. The coffin is taken to the family home where it is left open for friends and family to pay their respects. It is then taken to the Gurdwara where hymns and prayers are sung for the person who has died. If appropriate, food may be brought to the family home as a gesture of help in their time of need.   The family remains in mourning for several days after the funeral and may listen to readings from the Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Book). Funerals and customs  The b...