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Traditional Orthodox Christian funerals can require that a strict set of rites and traditions be honored. To receive the level of dignity you’re seeking for an Orthodox Christian funeral in Brooklyn, call the team at Harmony Funeral Home, where experience guides every move. They can even make suggestions to ensure you stay within the boundaries of your religion. Whether you’re Greek, Russian or Serbian, Harmony Funeral Home accommodates your every need.
What Is an Orthodox Christian Funeral?
Orthodox Christianity teaches that death is not a final goodbye, but a transition from earthly life to eternal life with God. Each part of an Orthodox Christian funeral in Brooklyn provides an opportunity to express your faith, find spiritual comfort and remember that the soul lives on. The Orthodox Church encourages you to continue praying for your loved one even after the funeral.
That’s why you may participate in memorial services on the 3rd, 9th and 40th days after the funeral as well as on the anniversary each year. Harmony Funeral Home walks you through every step of the funeral process while staying true to your spiritual traditions. The team assists with everything from clergy coordination to grief support, legal paperwork, repast meals and transportation, both internationally and within the U.S.
How Do Orthodox Christian Funeral Traditions Differ from Other Christian Services?
Orthodox Christian funerals, especially within Greek, Russian or Serbian Orthodox traditions, are deeply rooted in centuries-old practices that set them apart from many other Christian denominations. Unlike some Western Christian funerals such as Catholic or Evangelical services, which often focus on celebrating a person’s life and comforting the family, your Orthodox service places deeper emphasis on prayer and the soul’s journey. Funeral services vary in several ways, such as:
- Traditional eulogies are not part of the Orthodox service.
- The service includes sacred hymns, chanted in solemn, ancient tones.
- You step forward for the Kiss of Peace.
- Cremation is not permitted because Orthodox tradition requires full-body burial.
An Orthodox funeral surrounds you with powerful visual and spiritual cues that connect heaven and earth. The gentle rise of incense symbolizes your prayers ascending to God while icons and crosses placed with the body serve as a quiet reflection of your faith in the resurrection. Even the somber colors and tones used throughout the service invite you to pause, reflect and pray.
Are There Specific Funeral Traditions Among Greek, Russian or Serbian Orthodox Communities?
If your family follows Greek Orthodox customs, you’ll notice that the language of the service may include both Greek and English, depending on the parish and your community. The priest wears distinctive vestments, and the congregation may participate in ancient Byzantine chants.
Russian Orthodox funerals in Brooklyn, especially in Midwood, feature extended liturgies with Slavic chants. The service is deeply contemplative and highly spiritual, guiding your loved one’s soul through prayer. You may notice practices, such as:
- An open casket viewing at the church
- A longer liturgy with extensive hymnody
- Panikhida services to continue praying for the soul after burial
As someone from a Serbian Orthodox background, your funeral customs might combine formal liturgical rites with community-centered traditions. You may hear prayers in Serbian or English and notice how deeply your culture emphasizes family unity and continued remembrance.
How Do New York Funeral Parlors Create an Orthodox Christian Funeral in Brooklyn?
If you’re planning an Orthodox Christian funeral in Brooklyn whether Greek, Russian or Serbian, Harmony Funeral Home supports you with deep respect for your family’s religious customs and traditions. You can discuss language preferences for the service with Brooklyn funeral home’s clergy liaison during an in-person or virtual arrangement meeting. Let them know what other customs your family may want, such as:
- Bringing wheat and wine as offerings
- Leaving the casket open until final prayers at the graveside
- Participating in Zadusnice, remembrance days when you light candles and visit the grave
Awarded honors for exceptional service and community involvement by the National Funeral Directors Association, Harmony Funeral Home continues to be a trusted choice for Brooklyn families. So contact them today to speak with a caring professional about the details you expect for an Orthodox Christian funeral in Brooklyn.
Harmony Funeral Home
2200 Clarendon Rd.,
Brooklyn, NY 11226
(718) 469-6666