Could someone explain Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox funerals?

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I went to the wake for the mother of a friend of mine who was Greek Orthodox. There was a service called Trisagion (sp?). The priest said a number of prayers in Greek. The only parts I understood were Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison since those are also said in Latin Catholic Mass. I stood near the back so I could observe what people were doing, and crossed myself each time I saw the people doing that. The funeral director told me that Parastas and Pomen services are similar.

I did not attend the funeral Liturgy, only the wake. Would someone be able to explain what happens at the funeral Liturgy in case I do go to an Eastern Catholic or Eastern Orthodox funeral Liturgy? Also, is there any information available online, so I could find out what the prayers are that are said at the wake (with an English translation)? I would like to be able to pray along with the priest and the people if I ever go to an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic wake in the future.
 
Laura - the Trisagion is the shorter service for the dead; the Parastas is the longer Office for the Dead. In many Slavic churches, such as the Ukrainian, they are known by other names; we generally call the shorter service the Small Panakhyda and the longer either Parastas or the Greater Panakhyda.

Sometimes also the Psalter is read over the body of the recently reposed in between the services. On the day of burial in some traditions the Divine Liturgy may also be celebrated. At the funeral home the shorter Panakhyda/Trisagion are usually offered; once the body is in the church the Parastas is usually offered.

After the burial, memorial services are celebrated on the 3rd, 9th, 40th, semi-annual and annual anniversaries of death.

A couple of suggestions for more reading:
domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/20020101/SCRMNTL/christian_burial.htm
saintelias.com/ca/cemetry/

From the Greek Archdiocese:
goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article9218.asp
goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/funeral.asp
goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/MEMORIAL_SERVICE.asp
goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/funeral2.asp
FDRLB
 
Diak said:
Laura - the Trisagion is the shorter service for the dead; the Parastas is the longer Office for the Dead. In many Slavic churches, such as the Ukrainian, they are known by other names; we generally call the shorter service the Small Panakhyda and the longer either Parastas or the Greater Panakhyda.

Sometimes also the Psalter is read over the body of the recently reposed in between the services. On the day of burial in some traditions the Divine Liturgy may also be celebrated. At the funeral home the shorter Panakhyda/Trisagion are usually offered; once the body is in the church the Parastas is usually offered.

After the burial, memorial services are celebrated on the 3rd, 9th, 40th, semi-annual and annual anniversaries of death.

A couple of suggestions for more reading:
domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/20020101/SCRMNTL/christian_burial.htm
saintelias.com/ca/cemetry/

From the Greek Archdiocese:
goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article9218.asp
goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/funeral.asp
goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/MEMORIAL_SERVICE.asp
goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/funeral2.asp
FDRLB
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Thank you. 🙂 This is excellent! I will print out all of the pages you gave me.
 
Generally speaking the Eucharistic Liturgy is not celebrated at an Orthodox funeral (unless of a priest or monastic).

The funeral service proper is basically Matins for the Departed.
 
Generally speaking the Eucharistic Liturgy is not celebrated at an Orthodox funeral (unless of a priest or monastic).
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It is regularly served amongst several of the Oriental Orthodox; many liturgical historians maintain that indeed the Eucharistic Liturgy was served universally as part of the funeral rites in the early church, both Eastern and Western.
FDRLB
 
Orthodox Death Services

Before death of Orthodox Christian, priest comes to pray the Kanon for the separation of the Body and Soul. After death, Christian must be buried on third day, counting from day of death.

On first day the body must be cleaned and the baptismal cross and special coverings placed on body. The Psalter is sung for at least 3 days, and best for 40 days after death, but continuously at foot of box. Priest is called to serve Litija and possible Panikhida (or in Ukrainian Panakhida).

Then on third day body is taken to church for Otpevanije (departing song). This consists of many responses from priest and choir. Then Apostl, Evangile followed by Allowing (разрешительная молитва) prayer. A copy of this prayer is often put into hand of death person since time of St. Feodosij Pecherskij. Then is kissing of the dead in which relatives and friends ask for forgiveness.

Body then taken to burial singing Holy God. Panikhida can be sung in many churches for soul. Following for 40 days offer 40 Divine liturgies (сорокоуст). During these 40 liturgies, a special piece of Prosfora is offered for the forgiveness of sins of death person and put into the Potir.

So Divine Liturgy is offered not just once - but forty times for Death Person. Also can offer additiona panikhidy.
 
To add to Volodymyr’s post, there is even a special panakhyda table in some Ukrainian and Russian churches with small candle-holders; each day after the burial at the services for dead (Divine Liturgy/Panakhyda) one is lit, such as this: istok.net/images/D/d-22258-31.jpeg
FDRLB
 
Usually in the back or sides of the church. It is more of a Slavic tradition and the Greeks may not do this.
FDRLB
 
Diak said:
Usually in the back or sides of the church. It is more of a Slavic tradition and the Greeks may not do this.
FDRLB
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Thank you! 🙂 I know some Ukranian and Ruthenian Catholics and some Russian Orthodox people too, in addition to Greek Orthodox, so that it why I asked about Eastern Church funerals in general. One of my friends actually has aunts and uncles who trained the actors in the movie The Deer Hunter for the wedding scene. If there are any funerals, they would be at that Russian Orthodox church.
 
Slavs love panachidas. I love singing them, we sing them every week in church. With the souls of the righteous brought to perfection… sing with me! People have panachidas sang all the time for the departed no matter what earthly time period they have been gone.
Parastas is beautiful as well.

Eastern Catholic/Orthodox Funerals are very emotional and full of very beautiful prayers, scripture and psalms.
There are no eulogies either. We are there to pray for the dead and ask God to receive them in His kingdom. A priest may say a few words about the departed but that is at his discretion. This is my experience, others may have different experiences.
 
mgy100 said:
Slavs love panachidas. I love singing them, we sing them every week in church. With the souls of the righteous brought to perfection… sing with me! People have panachidas sang all the time for the departed no matter what earthly time period they have been gone.
Parastas is beautiful as well.

Eastern Catholic/Orthodox Funerals are very emotional and full of very beautiful prayers, scripture and psalms.
There are no eulogies either. We are there to pray for the dead and ask God to receive them in His kingdom. A priest may say a few words about the departed but that is at his discretion. This is my experience, others may have different experiences.
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At the funeral of the Ruthenian Right Reverend Mitered Archpriest Monsignor Michael Artim, he was eulogized… by 8 priests.

But the repast is where the real commemoration of the life is held. The funeral, be it a DL or panachida, is one of several parts of the funeral practice. Depending on local conditions, it may vary widely.

Major parts: The viewing of the body, The funeral liturgy (DL or Panachida), The Graveside service, the Repast, the recurrent prayers (as noted by others above), and certain other annual rememberances.

For example, state law restricts internment during the winter in Alaska. So graveside services are held in the spring by both Catholics and Orthodox, as the bodies, stashed in the fridge all winter, are placed in their graves. (Muslims break out torches and dig a pit in the frozen ground. I’ve dug in frozen ground; concrete is easier.)
 
Aramis said:
For example, state law restricts internment during the winter in Alaska. So graveside services are held in the spring by both Catholics and Orthodox, as the bodies, stashed in the fridge all winter, are placed in their graves. (Muslims break out torches and dig a pit in the frozen ground. I’ve dug in frozen ground; concrete is easier.)
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Before the use of backhoes in cemeteries, when the graves had to be dug by hand, there usually were no burials here in Ohio in the winter either. The cemeteries had receiving vaults where the caskets were stored until spring. Many of the older cemeteries still have the receiving vaults, although they are no longer used for that purpose. A great-uncle of mine was a gravedigger, and I belong to a local group dedicated to preservation and restoration of historic cemeteries.
 
One of my favorite aspect of BOTH Catholic/Orthodox faith is in the Everlasting. We may no longer “see” our loved ones anymore…but that does not mean they “vanish” into nothing. They also need our prayers…and we too need their prayers.

I happen to go to a church here in Florida and the way the church is designed is very similar to those you might see in Santorini or other Greek Island churches…lots of light in our dome…and some days when the sun is shinging through…the prayers are chanted and the inscense is rising…I almost sense the prayers of those who have past on. It takes my breath away some days…

*“May they be remembered…forever…may they be remembered for ever more…” *:crossrc:
 
Indeed - at the end of every Panakhyda and Parastas there is in our tradition the singing of the beautiful Vichnaya Pamyat - Everlasting Memory in a melody only used for funeral services. Vichnaya pamyat, so svyatimy upokoi, Christe, vichnaya pamyat.
With the saints give them rest, O Christ, everlasting memory.

During the singing of this the Priest may elevate the Cross; in some places he lifts up a kolach (loaf of bread) that has been baked in honor of the deceased.

In many traditions as well a bowl of boiled wheat (we call it kutya; it is also called kolyvo) is prepared and decorated - the wheat kernel being a small icon, as it were, of the Resurrection. The seed, seemingly dead and tomb-like, is planted and greater fruit sprouts later.
FDRLB
 
Diak said:
Indeed - at the end of every Panakhyda and Parastas there is in our tradition the singing of the beautiful Vichnaya Pamyat - Everlasting Memory in a melody only used for funeral services. Vichnaya pamyat, so svyatimy upokoi, Christe, vichnaya pamyat.
With the saints give them rest, O Christ, everlasting memory.
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Here’s a video of it
youtube.com/watch?v=JecjS8oZj-o

Here are excerpts from the panikhida
youtube.com/watch?v=cYGNTH49NG8

Here’s the troparion
youtube.com/watch?v=wH_d37SLXMg

All are from the St. Elias Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Brampton, Ontario, Canada after the death of Elizabeth Mychasiw. Eternal memory!
 
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