Orthodox Christian Funeral Guide

This covers general practice across Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox traditions (Greek, Russian, Antiochian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, and others), which share broad similarities but have real differences in specific practice. Your priest is the right source for guidance specific to your parish.

Timeline

Orthodox tradition traditionally favors burial within about three days of death, though in practice in the U.S. this is often extended to accommodate family travel and funeral home scheduling. Check with your priest, since practice varies by jurisdiction and parish. Burial is strongly preferred over cremation in Orthodox Christian teaching; if cremation is a consideration for your family, discuss it directly with your priest, since practice and pastoral guidance on this varies by jurisdiction.

Key rites

• Trisagion service: a short memorial prayer service, often held at the funeral home during visitation, and again at the graveside.
• Funeral service: typically held in the church, including specific hymns and prayers particular to Orthodox tradition, distinct from a typical Western Christian funeral liturgy.
• An open casket is traditional at the viewing and often through the funeral service itself, with the body dressed and prepared according to parish custom.
• Memorial services (Mnimosyno or similar): held at set intervals after death (commonly 40 days, and again at later anniversaries), separate from the funeral itself.

What to tell the funeral home

• Which parish and priest you're working with, so they can coordinate scheduling and liturgical requirements directly.
• That Orthodox tradition generally favors burial over cremation, if that's relevant to your family's plans, so the funeral home understands your preference from the start.
• That an open casket is likely part of your plan, so they can prepare accordingly.
• Any specific icon, cross, or vestment customs your parish observes, so these can be incorporated respectfully.

Typical cost components

A funeral with viewing, a full church service, and burial is closer to a full traditional service. The National Funeral Directors Association's most recent published national median (2023) for a funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300: a reasonable national reference point, though actual costs depend heavily on your funeral home, parish/church fees (separate from funeral home costs), and cemetery. Ask for an itemized quote. See our questions to ask.

Next: Questions to ask a funeral home · Paying for a funeral · The first 24 hours

Haven Care is free for families, no account, ever. care@gethavencare.com