I will explain a simple, Jain‑way funeral vidhi, including how to do “sukhad”, in clear steps.

Important to remember:

• In Jain Dharma, no ritual (including sukhad) can change the gati (next birth) of the departed soul.
• All kriya is mainly for our own shanti, vairāgya (detachment) and pavitra bhāva.

“Sukhad” here means: Clean, cool, usually sandalwood‑mixed water (sometimes with a little kesar, rose, etc.) used with shānt, pavitra bhāva around the body.

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1. Just after death (ghar par)

1. Make the atmosphere quiet and peaceful.

- Softly recite Navkār Mantra near the head. - Avoid loud crying and wailing as much as possible.

1. Straighten the body gently:

- Close the eyes and mouth if possible, keep hands by the sides or folded. - Cover with a clean white sheet.

1. Kṣamā‑yāchanā (forgiveness)

- Stand/sit near the head and from the heart say: “Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṁ – whatever hurt was done knowingly or unknowingly, please forgive me. I also forgive you.”

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2. Preparation of the body

1. Snān / safāī (if possible)

- Wipe the body gently with clean, slightly warm water. - Change into simple, plain, preferably white clothes (no show, no jewellery).

1. Tilak / chandan (optional, by local maryādā)

- A very small tilak of chandan on forehead / chest can be applied only as respect, not as a “must for moksha”.

1. Place the body on a simple plank / bier (arthi), usually on the floor.

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3. Sukhad Vidhi at home

This is where “sukhad” is generally done.

1. Prepare sukhad water

- Take clean water in a small lota or bowl. - Mix a little chandan powder / paste. - Do not add anything that harms jiv (no strong chemicals etc.).

1. Bhāva before starting

- Sit quietly for a minute. - Recite 1–3 times: Navkār Mantra. - Keep भाव: - “This soul is on its own karmic journey.” - “May I remain in equanimity and do paap‑rahit kriya.”

1. How to do sukhad

- Usually done after the body is dressed and placed on arthi. - One by one, close family members come to the head/feet side: - Take a very small spoonful or few drops of sukhad water. - Gently sprinkle on the feet and sometimes on the forehead or chest. - Silently or softly recite Navkār Mantra or say: - “Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṁ” - “Shānti ho, vairāgya ho.” - Do not pour large quantity or make a dramatic ritual. - This is only a saumya, pavitra farewell gesture, not a magic act.

1. What to avoid in sukhad vidhi

- No belief like “if we don’t do sukhad, bādha (obstacle) hogī.” - Avoid mixing non‑Jain customs like: - breaking coconut, circling agarbatti around the face as a must, etc., if they carry wrong beliefs. - Keep it short, calm and simple.

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4. Procession and cremation (antyeṣṭi)

1. On the way to smashān / crematorium

- Keep Navkār Mantra or Jain stavans softly going, without band‑bāja, no show. - Flowers, garlands etc. should also be simple, not a display.

1. At cremation place

- Place the body on the pyre or platform. - Short prayer and, if you wish, last sukhad offering: - Again, a very small sprinkle of sukhad water on the feet / forehead with Navkār Mantra. - The main karta (often son / nearest relative) can: - Do pradakṣiṇā (circumambulation) quietly with Navkār in mind. - Then perform the necessary act to start the cremation, without adding non‑Jain fire rituals taught from other traditions.

1. After cremation

- Sit a short while in maun (silence) or low voice, reciting Navkār. - Leave with vairāgya‑bhāva, not with superstitious fear.

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5. After returning home (post‑death kriya)

1. Shanti and swādhyāy

- At home, gather the family. - Recite: - Navkār Mantra - Short shānti‑path / stavans praising Tīrthankaras - Listen/read Jain tattva on anitya (impermanence), soul’s journey, etc.

1. Charity instead of show

- Instead of heavy ritual expenses, do: - Jiv‑dayā (help animals, panjarāpol). - Help needy students / patients, etc. - This is the true Jain way of “pooja” after death.

1. Mourning period

- Usually simple and short (a few days) – no big celebrations. - But continue daily Jain practices: - Samayik, Pratikraman (as per tradition), Navkār, Swādhyāy.

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6. Digambar – Shwetambar – local differences

• Scriptures do not insist on “sukhad” as compulsory.

It is mainly a laukik, local maryādā many Shwetambar (and some Digambar) families follow as a gentle, respectful act.

• Core Jain principles are same in both:

- Simple cremation, ahimsā, no big show, no belief that rituals can force moksha.

• Exact order of prayers, who lights the pyre, which stavan etc. may differ by:

- Digambar / Shwetambar - Sthānakvāsī / Mūrtipūjak / Terāpanthī - City / country practice

• Therefore, it is best to follow this simple Jain framework and also confirm details with your local guru / derāsar so you stay aligned with your own sangh’s maryādā.

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For a more detailed Jain‑style cremation sequence, you can refer to this explanation from JainKnowledge: You can read more here

A broader overview of what to do after death is also summarised here: You can read more here