It would be ideal if the lid of the casket can be totally removed during the funeral. A simple wooden pine casket with a cross on the lid is most appropriate.
The casket should be simple, and modest, but dignified. However, for an Orthodox Christian it is far more important to pray for the soul of the deceased.
Especially if death was sudden, we are often tempted to make up our loss in elaborate outward adornment, specifically the casket. Alternative ways of slowing down the decomposition of the body (refrigeration, dry ice) are preferred. Embalming is not the preferred way to treat a body in the Orthodox Church, but it would not be considered a hinderance to an Orthodox funeral. Funeral Home regulations will often prevent having an open casket funeral if the body is not embalmed, but it should be noted clearly that there is no federal or state law that requires embalming. Out of deep respect for the creation of God, as that body was created by God Himself, and was the “temple of the Holy Spirit” by Holy Chrismation, the Orthodox Church is not allowing cremation. A funeral with cremains is not possible, and neither is a funeral where it is known that the body will be cremated afterwards. In planning for the funeral, the following considerations should be observed for an Orthodox funeral: To spare doing this at the time of death, where one is more vulnerable and occupied by a grieving mind, it is best to plan this ahead of time, with, for example, a funeral plan. Some funeral homes have their own in-house regulations, but it can widely differ from funeral home to funeral home, and most of the time it can also be negotiated. In some states it is required to engage a funeral director, but which particular services one asks for are not regulated by law. As it was normal to hold someone’s hands while they were sick, it is perfectly fine to touch the body after the soul departed it.Ī funeral home will most likely take care of preparing the body for the funeral. There is time for the people present to say their good byes and get adjusted about what happened. There is no reason to rush to get a funeral home. If the person is still conscious, confession and Holy Communion will again be offered.Īfter the death, the priest will serve the first panakhida (memorial service) for the departed right at the place of death. The priest will come and say prayers for the departing of the soul from the body, listen, and offer comfort to the person about to die, and of course to the people present with him. If death is imminent, a priest should again be called immediately if the death is sudden, then as soon as one has knowledge about it. This mystery does not require a terminal illness, but is for severe illnesses where we beseech God in a special way to ask for healing and comfort. It should not be treated as a “last rite” mystery, but rather administered during the earlier stages of the illness. This mystery is offered for severe illnesses and is usually administered only once during an illness. The mystery of Holy Unction should also be considered. He is there to give comfort in prayer, offer confession, and holy communion to the sick. If a person is ill, and cannot attend church anymore, a priest should be contacted so that he is able to visit on a regular basis throughout the sickness. The care of a dying person actually starts before death occurs. Your priest is the one that can guide you in those cases. Specific steps might need adjustments in specific cases. The following guide is an attempt to give some guidance. FUNERAL SHROUD CLOTHING HOW TO
When it comes to the end of our life, it is important to know how the Orthodox Church is providing for her members and what steps one should know how to plan for this (as much as one is able to plan for it). Founded in this basic truth, the Orthodox Church is guiding her children from their birth, throughout their life, and until the grave. In the Orthodox Church we believe that God is our Creator and the only Giver of Life, and the One that has the only authority to allow our death. While on one side, this is certainly a help and sometimes a necessity, in most cases, we get so distant to the beginning and end of life that we have more difficulties to relate to it and especially when it comes to the end of life the ability to cope and grieve in the appropriate way, and keep a Christian attitude towards it. Both events are handed over more and more to people that offer their services, so that we don’t have to take care of it. In our contemporary times, we unfortunately experience an increasing estrangement to the basic events of life and death. The business of the Christian is nothing else than to be ever preparing for death.
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