Gurmail Singh Sandhu (26 Dec 1952 - 8 Dec 2025)

In loving memory of Gurmail Singh Sandhu who sadly passed away on 8th December 2025.

Sections below:
* Biography
* Eulogy - Daughter Rebena
* Gurdwara Funeral Guide
** 08:30 Antham Darshan
** 11:30 Gurdwara - Final Paath

** Biography **

Gurmail Singh Sandhu was born on the 26 December 1952, in Rurka Kalan to Karnail Singh and Resham Kaur. He was the third of 7 children, though assumed the role of eldest child after the loss of his older brother and sister at a young age. He was a clever and precocious child, a favourite of his grandfather, who gave him the name Bhuja/Bhoota (spaling/small bush/seedling) out of affection.

He moved to England to join his father at the age 7, with his mother and both of his sisters, Balbinder (5) and Darshan (3). The family grew with the new arrivals of his brothers, Kalwant (1964) and Sukwant (1966).

He married his beloved Surinder in 1973, and they went on to have their children Rebena (1974), Sharan (1977) and Prem (1980).

Gumail loved Star Trek, Motown classics, Heroes chocolates (a tub went in his casket with him) and Spaghetti Westerns. Most of all though, he loved his family.

* Eulogy - Daughter Rebena

"Thank you for joining us on Dads final journey. He was Dad to us, Nana to my kids, "Babs" to my nephew Aryan and Princess for my sister Sharan. He was foremost though, Sandy to all.

We always heard “They always come as a pair” – meaning both my Dad and mum. And they’re right, they did. They chose to be devoted to one another, chose to put each first, chose to create a life in which they respected the other. So much so, my dad did whatever he could to support my mother, even now, putting everything in order, in case he couldn't be here.

Our fathers are the measure we use to check the qualities of every man we meet, it becomes inherent in every encounter and we don’t even realise we’re doing it.

I’ve done it and I still do it.

And it is by my father’s measure of compassion and kindness, that I recognise the men he loved most in his life: Daljit, who stands by my side as a husband, Prem, a brother I stand ahead of, Erith the grown son I respect and Aryan, the nephew whose light is bright with promise.

It’s Dad’s quiet determination to find his own way, I see mirrored in my mother Surinder, in the steely stance of my sister Sharan and in the resolute attitude of my daughter Simran.

And of course the sheer singleminded-ness to live their own way, he shares with his siblings, my aunts Balbinder and Darshan, and my uncles, Kalwant and Sukwant.

Most people have a coming of age story where a gift is received, ours was my dad putting our first toolkits together - going through his unit dropiing things into a toolbox. The last one he made was for our Luca.

My dad had a generosity of spirit, so very compassionate and kind. Those of you he helped, we hope you realised that he tried to give you peace of mind, because he remembered what it felt like when he didn’t have it;

He wanted to help you come home to your families, because there was a many a night when he couldn’t join his own;

And that he tried to keep you in your homes, because he remembered a time when we nearly lost ours.

We hope you remember the honesty he lived by, and not the politician who couldn’t give us a straight answer about his health;

As a man who was supportive and loyal, though he couldn’t pick a side in Forest/Arsenal game.

We all know he was a workaholic, and in case you didn't, my mum had to confiscate his credit cards in the hospital.

My father lived his life through faith, humour and from a place of gratitude, and it is this gratitude we extend back to you.

He loved his unit, and he loved the people he was surrounded by, and those that saw him regularly.

We hope you all remember that he considered you worth his time, he could have chosen to spend it elsewhere, but he chose to spend it with you.

That your conversations were meaningful and worthwhile for a cup of tea, and if it was going to be hard conversation he'd put an extra sugar in.

You were valued enough that you would become part of his story, and you would find your way here today.

As a family we thank you for that. Thank you for adding to his life in a way that only you could have, and in turn, adding to his sense of gratitude and contentment.

I can’t really imagine how my mother is feeling, or what this means for her and us. I don’t know what a life without my dad looks like, why the sun has the cheek to rise when he’s not here and the sky be blue when it still feels grey.

We'll miss you Dad. "

** Gurdwara - Funeral Guide **

08:30 - The Antham Darshan (final respects)

Since this will be happening in a place of worship, please wear a head covering such as a bandana or scarf, and please note that modest dress is respectful 🙏

The casket will be open, so mourners are able to see Gurmail Singh for the final time, before the casket is closed.

People will typically queue to pay their final respects and then make their way directly to the Crematorium.

11:30 - Gurdwara Final Paath

Please attend if comfortable.

This paath (prayer) will be in Gurmukhi and is rarely translated.

Please note above guidance on headscarf and modesty. Shoes would be removed to enter the prayer hall.

Paath - Sikh custom

Paath is a reading of our Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji, which is our Guru, the holy book in place of a living Guru.

We pay our respects by approaching the Shri Guru Granth Sahib and kneeling before it, and offering a donation. This is typically a coin donation.

We then remain to hear the prayers and service, this is done seated on the floor.

There is an aspect of the prayers towards the end which requires us to stand, we then kneel at the end of this part of the prayer as a congregation and then stand up again for the nest segment of prayer, before being seated again.

This is followed by a holy offering, prasad. This is received by holding your hands together, cupped, palms up. We then offer our gratitude by closing our hands in a prayer hands style before consuming.