Jain Funeral Procedures

Author(s): Tansukh J Salgia
Publisher: Tansukh J Salgia

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If you have decided to donate the body of your loved one to a medical facility, in some cases, there is no cost to the family. In other circumstances, there may be a cost for transportation of the body. Sometimes the cremated remains may be returned to the family after a year or two. For further information contact your State or county Anatomical Board.
DRESS CODES
In order to be respectful to the deceased and the grieving family, dress should be simple, sober and decent. Show proper decorum and maintain quiet. Avoid loud conversation.
Gentlemen: Black suit. white shirt. black shoes, black tie, and black jacket, etc., properly matching appearance to this somber occasion. Also, if you are visiting the home of deceased, try to wear white attire, preferably white Indian Kurta, pajama, shirt, chappals etc.
Ladies: Dark dress, dark Punjabi, dark sari and matching blouse, etc. Alternatively, white dress, white sari and blouse. Avoid pompous make-up and assume simplicity. No head covering is essential and normal jewelry is fine.
PRIESTS
Prepare a list of Jain and/or Hindu priests in the area. If the family of the deceased chooses, they could get access to them and ask them to perform religious rites for the peace of the departed soul. There may be a cost associated with this, therefore, check in advance with the priest or nearby Jain or Hindu temple administrator.
FUNERAL PROGRAM
Develop a funeral program, including time, funeral home place, address, phone number, eulogy, religious rites from a priest, prayers, mantras, bhajans. Relatives and close friends can say better eulogies. Ask them. Have some standard praising eulogies prepared that may be used in emergencies. Provide opportunities to all those who wish to express their feelings about the departed person, taking into consideration the number of speakers and availability of time. The program should end within an hour and in no case exceed ninety minutes.
MEMORIES AND PHOTOS
With the permission of the immediate family member, have a committee member assigned to the responsibility of taking movies, videos and photographs. A relative or a close friend may be a better resource for this.
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