Death Ritual: Orthodox Greek

Picture 1, Funeral Services for the Rev. Constantine N. Dombalis at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church on Nov. 20, 2012, Accessed 29 April 2014.  http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/latest-news/funeral-services-held-for-longtime-greek-orthodox-leader/article_1a64de02-3343-11e2-b52a-001a4bcf6878.html

Immediately upon the death of an individual, the Trisagion is spoken in the presence of the deceased.  This is a prayer spoken by the priest.  After the funeral, the Trisagion is spoken again at a church or chapel of a funeral home.  Others can see the body during the Trisagion as well.

The Orthodox Greek believes in eternal life and believes that the integrity of the body in addition to the eternal life of the soul are very important.  This means that most Orthodox Greeks do not donate their organs.  Some churches are becoming more open to donating organs but this is not typical.  They also do not believe in cremation--they see it as a failure to keep the body as it is suppose to be upon death.  Small personal items of the deceased's may be placed in the coffin with them.

The church designates 40 days after the death as a period of mourning.  During this time (and beyond) the Trisagion is repeated at important days after the deceased's death:  the third day, ninth day, fortieth day, six months, and one year after the death at church or at the graveside.  During the period of mourning--before and after the funeral--relatives and friends provide the family with food and drinks.  The immediate family wears black during this period of mourning.  They do not participate in entertainment during this time--they do not dance or listen to music or attend social events.  Sometimes, individuals may continue this mourning for a year and widows may continue to wear black for the rest of their lives.

Some Orthodox Greeks prefer Greek funeral homes to prepare the funeral and they prefer the funeral to occur in a church.  Funerals are held on weekdays, rarely on Saturdays, and never on Sundays.  After the ceremony, the attendants bow to the open casket and kiss an object laid on the deceased's chest.  At the graveside, a prayer ceremony occurs where a prayer is said and people may lay a flower on the casket before it is lowered into the grave.

The family usually hosts a wake after the funeral although this is not a traditional part of the religious ceremony.  The meal depends on the families homeland but they always offer guests brandy upon entrance and coffee before and/or after the meal.

Mnimosyno is a memorial service held on the day close to the 40th day of the deceased's death.  At this service, the priests pray for forgiveness of the deceased.  Family sits in the front row and they provide kollyva-boiled wheat with sugar, spices, etc. Kollyva represents eternal life and the soul.  After the service, the family invites the congregation to a meal with them--similar to the wake meal after the funeral.

http://www.greekcare.org.au/advice-and-information/greek-culture-and-tradition/death-and-mourning/