Why is the casket open at an Orthodox funeral?

An open casket is traditional. It allows mourners to say a final farewell and, at the end of the service, to come forward and venerate the deceased with a kiss on an icon or the person's forehead. This face-to-face goodbye is an important part of Orthodox grieving.

What are Orthodox memorial services?

Orthodox Christians hold memorial services (Panikhida or Trisagion) at intervals after death — commonly the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days, and then at the 6-month and one-year marks, with annual remembrances after that. Boiled wheat (koliva) is often prepared, symbolizing the resurrection.

What happens at an Eastern Orthodox funeral?

Q: Does the Orthodox Church allow cremation?

Traditionally, no. The Eastern Orthodox Church has historically required burial and does not permit cremation, because the body is honored as a temple of the Holy Spirit awaiting resurrection. A priest may decline to serve a funeral if cremation is chosen. Policies can vary, so the parish priest is the authority for a given family's situation.

By Karl-Gustav Kallasmaa

Published September 2025 · Updated June 2026 · 8 min read

Eastern Orthodox funerals are rich in ancient ritual — a vigil, the funeral service with open casket, and burial. Cremation is traditionally not permitted, and memorial prayers continue for years.

The short answer

Eastern Orthodox funerals — Greek, Russian, Serbian, Antiochian and other jurisdictions — preserve some of the oldest continuous Christian burial rites. They are solemn, deeply scriptural, and centered on the hope of resurrection and prayer for the soul of the departed. The body is traditionally buried, not cremated, the casket is usually open, and prayer for the departed continues for years.

Cremation is traditionally not permitted

The Orthodox Church has historically required burial, because the body is honored as a temple of the Holy Spirit awaiting resurrection. A priest may decline to serve a funeral if cremation is chosen. Policies can vary, so the parish priest is the authority for a given family.

The vigil and prayers

After death, psalms and prayers are read, and a vigil may be kept. A Trisagion service — a short prayer service for the dead — is often held at the funeral home before the funeral itself, usually at the time of the wake.

The funeral service

The funeral is held in the church, usually with an open casket. It includes hymns, psalms, readings, and prayers asking God to grant rest to the departed. At the close, mourners come forward for a last farewell, venerating the person with a kiss on an icon placed in the casket. The priest then leads the body to the cemetery for burial, where final prayers are offered at the graveside.

Memorials over time

Prayer for the departed does not end at the funeral. Orthodox Christians hold memorial services (Panikhida or Trisagion) at set intervals, often with koliva — sweetened boiled wheat — prepared as a symbol of resurrection, the seed that must die to bring forth new life:

The traditional schedule of Orthodox memorial services. Exact practice varies by jurisdiction.
Memorial	When
3rd, 9th, and 40th days	In the weeks after death
Six months	Half a year later
One year	The first anniversary
Annual remembrance	Each year thereafter

Planning an Orthodox funeral

Contact the parish priest first — Orthodox rites and timing are set by the Church.
Plan for burial; ask the priest before considering cremation.
Expect an open casket and a final veneration at the end of the service.
Note the schedule of memorial services in the months and years that follow.

Your rights on cost

The funeral home is bound by the FTC Funeral Rule: you are entitled to an itemized price list and may buy only the goods and services you want, even when the rite is arranged through your parish.