In Jainism, death rituals (antyeshti / antim vidhi) are kept simple and non‑ritualistic. Exact customs differ a little by sect (Digambar / Shvetambar, Sthanakvasi, region), but the basic Jain spirit is the same.

Below is a simple, commonly followed Jain procedure. Use it as a guideline and follow your local Jain sangh’s instructions.

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1. Immediately after death

1. Remain calm and prayerful

- Keep the atmosphere peaceful, avoid crying loudly or clinging to the body. - Recite Navkar Mantra softly near the body.

1. Close family gathers

- Only necessary people stay in the room. - Switch off TV, loud music, and avoid gossip or worldly talk.

1. Simple words of স্মরণ (remembrance)

- Remember the good qualities (gun‑smaran) of the departed soul. - Accept that the soul has moved on according to its own karma.

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2. Preparing the body

(Details can vary by community; keep it as simple and non‑violent as possible.)

1. Cleanliness and clothing

- Gently clean the body (minimal handling). - Dress in simple, clean white clothes; avoid heavy decoration, jewellery, or makeup.

1. Position

- Lay the body straight on a clean sheet, usually with the head slightly raised. - Some place a small Jain symbol or scripture (like a photo of Arihant / Siddha or a small granth) nearby – not on the body.

1. Chanting

- Family can sit nearby and recite: - Navkar Mantra - Ucchavani, stavans, or small sutras they know. - Focus is on well‑wishing (maitri bhav) for all souls, not on “calling back” the departed.

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3. Before taking the body for cremation

1. Darshan / last viewing

- Relatives and friends may quietly come, fold hands, recite Navkar Mantra, and do bhaav‑pranam. - Avoid touching the body unnecessarily, avoid garlands piled in excess, and avoid photo‑taking if possible.

1. Very short bhavna / pravachan (if available)

- A Jain sadhu/sadhvi or learned shravak may give a short message: - Impermanence of the body. - Nature of soul and karma. - Importance of right conduct and samyak darshan.

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4. At the cremation ground

Most Jains follow cremation. Procedure is generally simple:

1. Simple procession

- Take the body respectfully, often with soft recitation of Navkar Mantra. - Avoid drums, bands, fireworks, and show.

1. Placing on the pyre (or in electric crematorium)

- Put the body on the pyre or as directed in electric cremation. - Minimal use of flowers; no wasteful items.

1. Short prayer before lighting

- Stand quietly, recite: - 3 or more Navkar Mantra - Any short Jain stavan or Shanti‑path your family follows.

1. Lighting the pyre

- Usually done by the closest relative (often eldest son/daughter or nearest kin), as per family custom. - While lighting, maintain detached, prayerful mind; repeat Navkar Mantra.

1. No rituals to “hold” the soul there

- In Jainism, the soul leaves the body immediately at death and takes next birth according to karma. - Rites are for closure for the living, not to control the soul’s journey.

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5. After cremation

1. Collecting ashes

- Ashes may be collected later as per local civic rules. - Jainism does not insist on any particular river or place. - Keep it simple and avoid harming living beings.

1. Mourning period

- Commonly 3 days of simple mourning; some communities may do a little more. - During this time: - Avoid big celebrations, parties, and new auspicious functions. - Continue daily Navkar, pratikraman, swadhyay if possible.

1. What family members should do spiritually

- Regular Navkar Mantra, Shanti‑path, or pratikraman. - Listening to Jain discourses or reading simple Jain texts. - Practise forgiveness (kshama): forgive the departed and ask forgiveness in your mind.

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6. About “Shradh”, offering food, etc.

• No Hindu‑style Shradh / Pitru‑paksha rituals are prescribed in Jain Dharma.
• Jain view:

- Each soul moves on with its own karmas. - Our rituals cannot change its gati (next birth), but our own good conduct helps our soul.

• If some families do a small gathering:

- Keep it very simple. - Listen to Jain pravachan, do Navkar, and donate to charity or animal welfare without belief that you are “feeding” the departed soul.

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7. Differences in sects (very briefly)

• Shvetambar / Murti‑pujak

- May keep the body briefly in upashray/derasar hall (where allowed) for darshan. - May read short sutras (e.g. Navkar, some stavans) as part of antim vidhi.

• Sthanakvasi / Terapanthi

- No idol‑based rituals; focus on Navkar, bhavna, and pravachan.

• Digambar

- Similar simplicity: cremation, chanting Navkar, short discourse on atma–parmātmā tattva, and emphasis on vairagya (detachment).

In all, Jain Dharma stresses: > Low ritual, high dharma > Ahimsa, aparigraha, forgiveness, and self‑purification are more important than any fixed ceremony.

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Helpful detailed references (JainKnowledge)

For more structured, step‑by‑step guidance, you can read:

• Simple Shvetambar cremation procedure
• General Jain post‑death vidhi for families
• Overview of Jain post‑death (antyeshti) rituals
• What kind of pooja is done after death in Jainism

If you tell me your sect (Digambar / Shvetambar / Sthanakvasi) and region, I can outline a more exact, short checklist for your situation.