You are asking about “Uthamna / Uthamna / Uthamnu” (उठमणु / उठावणा) – why we do it after death.

In pure Jain dharma, this type of ceremony is not a scriptural compulsory vidhi, it is mainly a social/customary program. Still, many Jain families do it, and there is a Jain way to understand it.

1. What is Uthamna in simple words?

• Usually done on the 3rd, 12th or 13th day (varies by community).
• Family and relatives gather, there may be:

- Short pravachan / vachan on Jain view of life and death - Navkar Mantra, Shanti-path, or other sutras - Smruti (remembering the good qualities) of the person - Sometimes daan / jivdaya in their memory.

2. Why Jains do Uthamna?

From Jain point of view, correct reasons are:

1. To create vairagya (detachment)

- Death reminds us that body, relations, wealth are temporary. - Listening to Jain principles at Uthamna helps people turn towards dharma and self‑purification.

1. To stabilize the mind of family members

- They are in grief; hearing Navkar, pravachan, and sutras helps them get shanti and samata (equanimity). - It is mainly for the living, not for changing the fate of the departed soul.

1. To do punya in memory of the departed

- Doing jivdaya, daan, swadhyay, pratikraman etc., with punyanumodana (“may this merit support the soul’s shubh gati”) is encouraged. - We do not “buy” moksha for them; their gati depends on their own karma and bhav at death.

3. What it is not in Jainism

• It is not a Jain version of śrāddh or pitru‑paksha.
• It is not a ritual to “pull the soul up” or to force moksha / swarg.
• It is not a scriptural requirement that, if missed, will “spoil” the soul’s journey.
• Many details (photo, garland, big food arrangements, show, etc.) are purely social, not religious.

4. Digambar – Shwetambar view

• Both agree on the core Jain principles:

- Soul goes on according to its karma at the moment of death. - No post‑death ritual guarantees liberation. - The right focus is Navkar, swadhyay, pratikraman, daan, jivdaya, vairagya.

• Difference is only in external style:

- Some Shwetambar sanghs keep a formal “Uthamna” with pravachan, bhakti, etc. - Some Digambar sanghs may have a simpler smruti sabha / shraddhanjali type gathering. - Exact day and format vary by region and local maryada.

5. What is the most “Jain” way to do it?

If you wish to keep Uthamna close to pure Jain dharma:

• Keep it simple and non‑wasteful (no show, no himsa for food, flowers, etc.).
• Do:

- Navkar Mantra, pratikraman / Shanti‑paath, small pravachan. - Swadhyay on anitya (impermanence), karma, and moksha. - Daan / jivdaya instead of big decoration and feasts.

• Avoid:

- Loud crying, heavy emotional speeches that increase moha (attachment). - Belief that “if we don’t do this, the soul will suffer” – this is not Jain siddhant.

For more on Jain view of death and post‑death vidhis you can read here