After retiring in Shoin-do hall, at eighty-two years old in February, 1673, he began putting his affairs in order in contemplation of his death, his health deteriorated rapidly in April, and he was given 'Daiko-fusho kokushi,' a posthumous Buddhist name, by Emperor Gomizunoo on May 18.
松隠堂に退隠後、82才を迎えた寛文13年(1673年)正月、隠元は死を予知し身辺を整理し始め、3月になり、体調がますます衰え、4月2日には後水尾法皇から「大光普照国師」号が特諡された。