Eastern Orthodox funeral planning: rites, traditions, and what to expect

An Eastern Orthodox funeral is a deeply liturgical service rooted in ancient Christian tradition, expressing both genuine grief and steadfast hope in the resurrection. The Orthodox Church has a defined sequence of prayers and services for the time of death, the funeral, and the memorials that follow. This guide explains that sequence, what the Church asks of families, the firm position on cremation, and the 40-day mourning period — with notes on how customs vary across the Greek, Russian, Antiochian, Serbian, and other Orthodox traditions.

A liturgical tradition with a defined sequence

Orthodox funerals follow an established order of services rather than a freely arranged program. While jurisdictions (Greek, Russian, Antiochian, Serbian, Romanian, and others) differ in language and some customs, the core structure is shared. (For the Western Catholic counterpart, see our Catholic funeral planning guide.)

Because the services are set, the family's role is less about designing the service and more about coordinating its timing, location, and the practical arrangements with the priest and funeral home. Contacting the parish priest immediately after a death is the essential first step.

The prayers and services around death

The Orthodox Church marks the time around death with specific prayers.

• Prayers at the time of death. A priest is called as soon as possible — ideally before death when someone is dying — to offer prayers, and Holy Communion and Confession if the person is able to receive them.
• The Trisagion service. A short memorial prayer service (the Trisagion, named for the "Thrice-Holy" hymn) is offered soon after death and at several points afterward. It may be held at the home, the funeral home, or the church.
• The vigil / wake. Before the funeral, a wake is often held with the casket open, and the Psalter (the Book of Psalms) may be read over the deceased. Family and friends keep vigil and pay respects.

The funeral service

The Orthodox funeral service is held in the church, before an open casket in most traditions, and follows a set liturgical order rich in hymns and prayers.

What the service includes:

• Hymns and prayers chanted by the priest and chanters, including hymns that speak both of the sorrow of death and the hope of eternal life.
• Scripture readings, including an Epistle and Gospel reading.
• Prayers for the repose of the soul and for God's mercy on the departed.
• The last kiss (or final farewell). Near the end, family and friends come forward to bid farewell, often venerating an icon or cross placed with the deceased.
• The dismissal, after which the body is taken for burial.

Notably, the Orthodox funeral is generally not a Divine Liturgy (Eucharist) in most practice; it is its own distinct service. Eulogies are not usually part of the funeral service itself, though a priest or family member may offer brief words, and tributes are more common at the reception (the makaria or mercy meal) afterward.

The open casket and the farewell

An open casket is customary in most Orthodox traditions, both at the vigil and during the funeral, allowing the community to take leave of the person. The "last kiss" — coming forward to say goodbye and venerate an icon or cross — is a moving and central moment of the service. Families uncomfortable with an open casket should discuss options with the priest.

Cremation: not permitted

The Orthodox Church does not permit cremation. The body is treated with reverence as a temple of the Holy Spirit, and burial reflects belief in the resurrection of the body. An Orthodox funeral and burial in consecrated ground require that the body be buried, not cremated.

If a family is weighing disposition options in general, our cremation versus burial guide explains the practical differences, but for an Orthodox funeral, burial is required. Families with questions should speak directly with their priest, as choosing cremation can affect whether the Church can serve the funeral.

The memorial services and the 40 days

A distinctive feature of Orthodox practice is the cycle of memorial services (Greek Mnemosyno, Slavic Panikhida) held after the funeral to pray for the repose of the departed's soul.

These memorials are traditionally observed:

• On or around the third day after death,
• The ninth day,
• The fortieth day (an especially significant memorial),
• And often at six months, one year, and on annual anniversaries.

The 40-day period is the principal mourning period, echoing themes of forty days in scripture, and the 40-day memorial is a major observance. Our grief support resources can help the family through this period and beyond.

Koliva, a dish of boiled wheat sweetened and decorated, is traditionally prepared and blessed at memorial services. The wheat symbolizes the resurrection — "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

What the Church guides versus what families coordinate

| Element | Guided by the Church | Family coordinates | |---|---|---| | Service order | Set liturgical sequence | Timing and location | | Casket | Open casket customary in most traditions | Choice of casket; discuss concerns with the priest | | Eulogies | Not typically part of the funeral service | Tributes at the mercy meal afterward | | Cremation | Not permitted; burial required | — | | Memorials | Third, ninth, fortieth day, and beyond | Scheduling and koliva preparation | | Music | Chanted hymns by clergy and chanters | — | | Flowers | Commonly welcomed | Selection; or donations to the church/charity |

Working with the parish and funeral home

Two early contacts are essential:

• The parish priest: should be called immediately — ideally before death when possible — to offer prayers and the sacraments, and then to arrange the Trisagion, the funeral, and the memorial services. The priest guides timing and the liturgical details.
• A funeral home experienced with Orthodox funerals: handles the body, paperwork, transport, the vigil, the open casket, and coordination with the church and cemetery.

Because the services are set and burial is required, raising these expectations with the funeral home from the start avoids any conflict with the tradition.

Planning checklist

This Orthodox-specific checklist complements our general funeral planning checklist.

Immediately after death (or before, if someone is dying):

• [ ] Call the parish priest right away for prayers and the sacraments
• [ ] Contact a funeral home experienced with Orthodox funerals
• [ ] Confirm burial (cremation is not permitted)
• [ ] Schedule the Trisagion, the vigil, and the funeral with the priest
• [ ] Confirm a cemetery and plot, ideally in consecrated ground

Before the funeral:

• [ ] Arrange the vigil/wake, with the casket open as is customary
• [ ] Confirm the open casket and the order of service with the priest
• [ ] Choose an icon or cross for the final farewell
• [ ] Arrange flowers or designate the church or a charity for donations
• [ ] Plan the mercy meal (makaria) and where tributes will be shared
• [ ] Coordinate pallbearers with the funeral home

Memorials and after:

• [ ] Schedule the third-, ninth-, and fortieth-day memorials with the priest
• [ ] Arrange koliva for the memorial services
• [ ] Note the six-month, one-year, and annual memorial dates

Frequently asked questions

Does the Orthodox Church allow cremation?

No. The Orthodox Church does not permit cremation; the body is buried out of reverence for it and in keeping with belief in the resurrection of the body. Choosing cremation can prevent the Church from serving the funeral, so families with questions should speak with their priest.

Why is the casket open at an Orthodox funeral?

An open casket is customary in most Orthodox traditions so that the community can take leave of the person, culminating in the "last kiss" — coming forward to say farewell and venerate an icon or cross. Families with concerns about an open casket should discuss alternatives with their priest. Guests unsure how to take part can read our funeral etiquette guide.

What is the significance of the 40 days?

Forty days is the principal Orthodox mourning period, and the 40-day memorial is an especially important service of prayer for the repose of the soul. Memorials are also held around the third and ninth days, and at six months, one year, and on annual anniversaries.

What is koliva?

Koliva is boiled wheat, sweetened and decorated, prepared and blessed at Orthodox memorial services. The wheat symbolizes the resurrection, drawing on the Gospel image of a grain that must fall to the earth and die before it bears fruit.

Are eulogies part of an Orthodox funeral?

Generally not within the funeral service itself, which follows a set liturgical order. A priest or family member may offer brief words, but personal tributes are usually shared at the mercy meal (makaria) that follows the burial.

What is the difference between Greek, Russian, and other Orthodox funerals?

The core liturgical structure is shared across Orthodox jurisdictions — Greek, Russian, Antiochian, Serbian, Romanian, and others — but they differ in language, music, and some local customs. The family's own parish priest is the best guide to that tradition's specific practices.

How much does an Orthodox funeral cost?

The parish may request an offering for the priest, chanters, and the use of the church, while funeral home and cemetery costs are separate and follow standard pricing. See our guide to average funeral costs for typical figures.

Orthodox customs vary across jurisdictions and parishes. For guidance specific to your family's tradition, speak with your parish priest or a funeral home experienced with Orthodox funerals.

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