Jain Funeral Procedures

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

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loss. It is therefore important for Jains and non-Jains alike to be aware of the universality of human grief and the rituals of mourning. The Jain scriptures reflect many attitudes about death: belief in the eternal nature of the Soul; conviction that it is a consequence of the Soul being entangled in the material world; conviction that it is a time of bodily change; resigned acceptance of the inevitability of death; trust in the benefit of living a religious and moral life; and belief in the progress of the Soul toward liberation. The scriptures also affirm many emotional responses to the reality of grief; including anger, denial, sadness and crying, resignation, yet also trust assurance and humility. Empowered by the Jain belief in the eternal existence of the Soul, the Jain community faces the event of death, consoles the bereaved, and offers the opportunity to reflect on our own religious belief and conduct during this human lifetime. The elements essential to a Jain memorial or funeral service are reciting mantras, scriptural readings, prayers and commendation of the departed. In such ways, Jains affirm their belief that there is meaning, purpose and hope in death as in life; and that there is renewed life and potential for elevated life after death. The Soul being eternal, naturally Jains believe in reincarnation. For Jains, it is the Soul, more precisely the state of purification and development of the Soul that is responsible for those aspects of the person to which we are attracted. For example, the pleasant personality, the happiness, the giving and helpfulness, the gentleness, the ability to understand and forgive, the ability to minimize involvement in harming. All of these qualities and virtues are possible because of the Soul; and therefore all of these continue after death into another life form.
OR Jains believe in Karma; that our actions in thought, words and deeds create a reaction and determine the events and occurrences in this present lifetime, as well as continuing into future lives. This natural law is often stated as "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." Jains believe that there is a divine energy that gives us life. The Sanskrit term for this divine energy is Atmā; the English term is Soul. Energy cannot be created or destroyed; thus the Soul is eternal. Being eternal, the Soul has existed from beginningless beginning and will exist till endless end. Jains also believe that each Soul is the doer of its actions and receives and experiences the results of those actions. Thus, it is the results of our actions in thoughts, words and deeds that determine our many pleasant and unpleasant experiences in life. Jains believe that the universe in which we live is fundamentally positive, in that liberation of the Soul from the trials and tribulations of this worldly life is possible. As well, there is a means or a method by which liberation is possible.
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• Begin the funeral services with Namokar Mahamantra. or an audiotape song of
Namokar Mantra. • The presider furnishes a short introduction and a short Eulogy of the Deceased. He
tries to identify all close family members and relatives who are present. • Any ritual by a priest for the peace o the departed soul. • Bhajans suitable for occasion may be played or sung. • Eulogies • Eulogy by guest 1 • Eulogy by guest 2
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