Jain Funeral Prayers: Namokar Mantra and Sacred Chants for Last Rites

When a Jain family member dies, the prayers don't ask for divine intervention or a favorable judgment. They redirect the mind from the loss of the physical body toward the liberation of the soul. If you're responsible for leading or participating in the liturgy and aren't sure what gets recited when, here's the sequence.

The Namokar Mantra — The Central Prayer

The Namokar Mantra (also called Navkar Mantra) is the most sacred prayer in Jainism, and it anchors every stage of the funeral — body preparation, the funeral procession, and the lighting of the cremation pyre. It is chanted repeatedly, often continuously by family members throughout the entire process.

The Prakrit recitation:

Namo Arihantanam — I bow to the Arihants (destroyers of inner enemies) Namo Siddhanam — I bow to the Siddhas (liberated souls) Namo Ayariyanam — I bow to the Acharyas (spiritual leaders) Namo Uvajjhayanam — I bow to the Upadhyays (sacred teachers) Namo Loe Savva Sahunam — I bow to all Sadhus and Sadhvis (monks and nuns)

The mantra bows to the five supreme beings (Pancha Paramesthi) — not to a creator God, but to those who have achieved spiritual mastery. Chanting it is believed to erase negative influences and align the mind with spiritual purity.

You don't need to be a practiced chanter. Even silently following along or mouthing the words is considered meaningful participation. Printed transliteration sheets are commonly distributed at the Prarthana Sabha (prayer assembly).

The Chattari Mangalam — Refuge Verses

Following the Namokar Mantra, the Chattari Mangalam invokes the four auspicious refuges of the universe. These verses declare that the Arihants, the Siddhas, the Sadhus, and the sacred Dharma expounded by the Tirthankaras are the four supreme refuges:

Chattari Mangalam: Arihanta Mangalam, Siddha Mangalam, Sahu Mangalam, Kevali Pannatto Dhammo Mangalam.

The structure is a formal taking of refuge — not a plea for help, but a declaration of alignment with those who have walked the path to liberation.

The Logassa Sutra

The Logassa Sutra (also known as the Chaturvimshati Stava) is recited to praise the attributes of the twenty-four Tirthankaras — the founders of the Jain spiritual path. It's typically recited during the Prarthana Sabha and provides a contemplative anchor for the assembly.

The Bhaktamara Stotra

In cases of severe physical distress or during the transition period, verses from the Bhaktamara Stotra are chanted to bring peace and mental fortitude. This prayer is particularly used when the dying person or the bereaved family is struggling with acute grief or fear.

When Each Prayer Is Used

One important note: the highly sacred Moti Shaanti prayer is actively discouraged at funeral assemblies. Because attendees come directly from their homes or workplaces — potentially without having bathed, wearing unwashed clothes, or having eaten non-vegetarian food — reciting this consecrated purity prayer is considered spiritually inappropriate for the setting.

No Priestly Authority Required

A crucial distinction from many other traditions: no priestly class holds unique authority over Jain funeral prayers. While some sects use temple helpers (pujaris), they don't have special salvational power. Any family member or community elder can lead the chanting. Monks and nuns are scripturally prohibited from attending layperson funerals, so the liturgical responsibility falls entirely to the family and community.

The Jain Funeral Guide includes full transliterations, pronunciation guides, and a printable prayer sequence card that families can distribute at the Prarthana Sabha.