Funerals: Orthodox traditions, customs

The funeral is one of the oldest rituals. People's interest in the afterlife was present at all times. The belief in the existence of an immortal soul and its relocation to another world was characteristic of all peoples, including the Slavs.

Roots of Orthodox funeral traditions

Funerals, Orthodox traditions and rites are among the most enduring types of rituals. They are considered the preparation of the transition of the soul of a dying person to another world, therefore actions from century to century are made according to strictly established rules. Believers Orthodox Orthodox funeral according to Orthodox traditions are divided into three stages:

• Preparation of a dying person (carried out before his death);
• The funeral process itself;
• Remembrance.

The fact that Orthodox people adhere to traditions since the baptism of Kievan Rus says that burial is a tribute to the very fact of death and to the deceased. For hundreds of years, burial rituals have been influenced by the deep pagan roots of Slavic culture, but gradually the funeral in the Orthodox tradition has become what we know them today.

Preparation for death

Long ago in the faithful families, people prepared for death: they bought or sewed by hand their shirts and funeral dress. In many settlements it was customary to make old coffins ahead of time. With the advent of Orthodoxy, people began to be buried in them, as it was customary to burn the deceased on the pagan rites of the deceased, and put ash in a pot or simply into the ground and dig in. If the relatives of the deceased want to know how to conduct funerals, Orthodox traditions, the priest's answer is unequivocal - the coffin with the body must be betrayed to the ground.

If a person was ill for a long time, he was soboril, during which time the priest released him from his sins. Thus, the soul was purified and prepared for the transition. The dying man had to say goodbye to his relatives, bless them in a holy way, forgive debts and insults, and give the last orders.

Preparing the body for burial

The funeral (Orthodox traditions) required the preparation of the deceased's body for burial. For this deceased was washed by special people, most often old women. According to Orthodox beliefs, the purification of the body is just as important as the forgiveness of sins for the soul. During the bath, the prayers "Trisagion" or "Lord have mercy" were read. According to the church order, a person must appear before the Lord with a pure soul and body.

Nowadays, the deceased are washed in the morgue or in the service of ritual services. If there is no such possibility, then this traditional custom is performed by people who are not with the deceased in kinship.

After the deceased has been washed, they put it on a table covered with a clean cloth and put on new clothes. If there is no such possibility, then the things must necessarily be at least clean.

Preparing for funerals

After the ablution, the deceased is put in a coffin and covered with a shroud with embroidered crosses. Before it is prepared, sprinkling with sacred water. Lay the deceased person face up, putting a pillow under his head. The eyes of the deceased must be closed, the hands - folded on the chest, the right over the left. It is mandatory to put on the deceased a cross, which must accompany the funeral.

Orthodox traditions and rituals in the old days required reading prayers over the deceased until the funeral, which was held on the third day. To this end, the readers were invited. While the deceased was lying in the house under the icons, and prayers were read over him, relatives and acquaintances came to the deceased to say goodbye.

Nowadays, after the deceased has been washed and put in a coffin, it is necessary to read the canon "Follow the Exodus of the Soul from the Body". If there is no possibility to invite a priest for this, this part of the funeral ritual can be taken by one of the relatives.

In the event that the deceased is not able to bring in the house, then this canon should be read, facing the icon or near the place where the funeral begins, for example near the door of the morgue.

Even before commencement of the funeral of the deceased in the church, you need to order it for forty times.

The funeral of the deceased

For burial, the coffin with the deceased is brought to the church and placed in front of the altar. The deceased on his forehead should have a crown with a printed "Trisagion", and in his hands - a picture with the image of Jesus. At the head of the deceased they put a cross, which relatives and friends can kiss while saying goodbye.

Nowadays funeral service can take place in the house of the deceased or in the funeral home on the third day after death. The deceased at the same time lies in a coffin with an open face, deployed to the east, and to his feet put an icon and lit candles. Regardless of where the funeral is being held, the dead person must face the icon, not the people. So he seems to address the holy image of pardon and forgiveness of sins.

During the funeral, they sing "Eternal Memory" and "Let Go," after which the coffin is closed and taken out of the temple. Relatives who come to church during the ceremony stand with lighted candles and pray for the deceased, and then the funeral begins. Orthodox traditions do not allow anything to be placed in the coffin, but they allow those who came to part with kissing the icon in the hands of the deceased and a strip of paper on his forehead. Putting money, food, jewelry or other things into the coffin is forbidden, since it is considered a relic of paganism.

The funeral

Traditions foresee the following funeral procession behind the coffin after the funeral of the deceased. It must go, and stopping can be done only by the church and already at the churchyard. Nowadays, taking into account the fact that the cemetery can be located at a distance of several kilometers, the procession goes for some time after the funeral service in the church, and then the mourners get into the transport and go to the burial place.

At the cemetery passes farewell to the deceased, after which the coffin is closed with a lid and lowered to the grave with the help of ropes or towels. Relatives and members of the funeral procession throw on the coffin a handful of earth, after which they depart, and the gravediggers are engaged in the work.

This is a difficult emotional moment for the relatives, so it is advisable that they do not observe how the coffin is lowered into the pit. After the burial mound is filled, relatives say goodbye to the deceased, lay flowers and wreaths, and the procession goes to a memorial meal.

Memorial after funeral

Orthodox traditions after the funeral presuppose the obligatory remembrance of the deceased soul with a joint meal. This happens in the house of the deceased or in the ordered room.

A joint meal combines the memories of the living with the deceased. Words and thoughts should be kind, light, for death is the natural end of life.

Of no less importance is food for Orthodox funerals, traditions. What is prepared for a funeral on the day of the funeral? Usually a few dishes are served. Their list is relatively constant, but differences can arise because of the dissimilarity of the traditions of different regions.

Often the first served with kutya, and then some soup - borsch, soup, soup or noodles. On the second offer porridge or potatoes. Meals can be with meat, but can be non-cumulative, if the remembrance is held on the days of fasting. Also fish or jelly can be served. The funeral dinner ends with kutya or pancakes, in some cases - with pancakes.

From alcohol they serve wine or vodka, but this is not always done, and the number of such drinks must necessarily be small.

Remembrance on the ninth and fortieth day

The ninth and fortieth days after death are considered by Orthodox traditions very important for the soul, as at this time its ordeal begins. This means that the soul goes through a stage of repentance and purification from sins. During this period it is necessary to order memorial liturgies in several churches. The more prayers are read for the deceased, the easier it is for his soul to go through this stage.

Memorial dinner for the funeral (Orthodox traditions, 9 days) consists of the same dishes as at the funeral. They are served in the same strict sequence during all the funeral days.

Fortieth day is considered a landmark, as the soul leaves this world forever. The order of the liturgy or sorokoust is obligatory in several churches, and a funeral feast should also be held.

The terms of wearing mourning for the deceased depend on his age and sex. According to the old people, mourning is carried up to forty days. If the breadwinners - the father or mother - die, they are mourned for a year. For a widow or a widower, the rule of wearing mourning flowers in clothes for up to one year is also defined.