Death / Funerals

Questions and Answers about death and funerals

What to Wear When Mourning

Are orthodox Christians required to wear black when mourning a family member and, if so, for how long is the wearing of black required?

Burial Customs

I attended an Orthodox funeral Today. I noticed that the deceased person had a piece of paper on his forehead with lettering on it. The deceased person also had some type of prayer written on it.…

Cremation

Can you tell me if the Orthodox Church allows cremation?

If the answer is no, why?

With all my thanks.

Pouvez-vous m’indiquer si l’église orthodoxe autorise la crémation ou l’incinération?

En…

Prosphora for Ill and Departed

I have run across a problem / question brought up by my 6 1/2 year old daughter. Recently we have known some sick people so I thought it would be a good time to bring up the idea of sending up…

Final Moments & Repentance

In reading a handbook on Roman Catholicism, the author claimed that one’s salvation was determined by one’s “state” at the moment of death. If he/she had repented, that person would be able to…

Prayers for the Departed

I am interested in what I understand to be an Orthodox tradition/custom of prayers, etc. on anniversaries of the death of a loved one. Any information would be very much appreciated.