Key facts
| Burial or cremation | Burial — many Orthodox churches will not hold a church funeral if cremation is chosen |
|---|---|
| Service | Chanted funeral service, usually with an open coffin; mourners give a final farewell kiss |
| Memorials | Trisagion prayers and memorials with koliva on the 3rd, 9th and 40th days, and yearly |
What to expect
The Orthodox funeral service is largely sung. Mourners hold lit candles, the priest censes the coffin, and at the end people come forward to say farewell — often by kissing an icon or cross placed in the coffin. The 40th day after death is especially significant.
Every family and community is different. Use this as a starting point, follow the wishes of the person who died, and ask their faith leader or community for guidance.
Finding a church for the funeral
If the person didn’t have a regular church, the funeral director can suggest one, or you can find a Orthodox church near you. Many ministers will lead a funeral for someone who lived in their parish or area, even if they rarely attended.
Etiquette for guests
What to wear
Dark, modest clothing. Women may cover their hair.
What to say
“Memory eternal” (“Eonia i mnimi” in Greek; “Vechnaya pamyat” in Russian).
Flowers and gifts
Flowers are welcome.
Orthodox Christian funeral services near you
Local guides listing Orthodox churches, specialist funeral directors and burial or cremation options:
- London
- Birmingham
- Leeds
- Glasgow
- Manchester
- Edinburgh
- Bristol
- Liverpool
- Cardiff
- Coventry
- Belfast
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Leicester
- Nottingham
- Bradford
- Sunderland
- Plymouth
- Brighton
- Derby
- Norwich
- Peterborough
- Southend-on-Sea
- Colchester
- Oxford
- Cambridge
- Exeter
- Chester
- Preston
- Lincoln
- Durham
All Orthodox Christian funeral directors in the UK →