Orthodox Christian Funerals in the UK: Greek, Russian, and Serbian Traditions

The Orthodox Christian Church is not a single organisation but a family of autocephalous (self-governing) churches sharing the same faith and liturgical tradition. In the UK, the principal Orthodox communities are Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, and Antiochian. While their liturgical languages and cultural customs differ, they share the same theological understanding of death and the same core funeral rites rooted in the Byzantine tradition.

The Panakhida: The Orthodox Memorial Service

The panakhida (also transliterated as panikhida, and called the parastas or parastasa in Serbian and some Slavic traditions) is the central liturgical service of the Orthodox funeral tradition. It is a service of prayer for the repose of the soul of the deceased, drawing on psalms, troparia, and kontakia from the Orthodox liturgical heritage.

The panakhida is not performed only once. It is the Orthodox practice to hold memorial services at regular intervals:

• Shortly after death: A panakhida is typically held as soon as the priest can attend — often within hours of death, at the home, hospital, or church.
• Third day: Symbolises the Resurrection of Christ on the third day.
• Ninth day: Associated with the nine orders of angels.
• Fortieth day: One of the most important commemorations, associated with the soul’s presentation before God. Orthodox families take the fortieth day very seriously.
• Six months and one year: Further annual commemorations on the anniversary of death.
• Soul Saturdays: Special Saturdays throughout the Orthodox year (including the Saturday before Meatfare Sunday and the three Saturdays before Lent) when the Church commemorates all the departed.

The Open Coffin Tradition

The open coffin — allowing the faithful to see the face of the deceased, to venerate the body with a kiss, and to say their farewell — is traditional in most Orthodox communities. It reflects the Orthodox theological understanding that the body is not merely discarded at death but awaits the bodily resurrection.

In a UK context, families can arrange an open coffin viewing through most funeral directors, though it is important to discuss this at the earliest opportunity. Specific requests include:

• The body should be dressed in appropriate clothing — some Orthodox traditions specify white or liturgical clothing; others use formal dress. The hands may be placed holding a cross or icon.
• An icon (religious image) is often placed in the hands of the deceased or near the head.
• A paper crown (in the Greek tradition, the stephane or crown of martyrdom) may be placed on the forehead.
• The body may be brought to the church for an overnight vigil before the funeral — not all UK churches have facilities for this, but many Orthodox parishes can accommodate it.

Orthodox funeral directors and some mainstream funeral homes with experience of Orthodox communities can provide guidance on preparation of the body.

The Different Orthodox Jurisdictions in the UK

The main Orthodox jurisdictions present in the UK each have their own diocesan structure and can direct families to the nearest parish:

• Greek Orthodox: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (part of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) is the largest Orthodox jurisdiction in the UK. It has parishes across England, Wales, and Scotland. Website: thyateira.org.uk.
• Russian Orthodox: The Diocese of Sourozh is the diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Great Britain and Ireland (sourozh.org). The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) also has parishes in the UK.
• Serbian Orthodox: The Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of Great Britain and Scandinavia has parishes across the UK, primarily serving the Serbian diaspora community.
• Romanian Orthodox: The Romanian Orthodox communities in the UK have grown substantially in recent decades following Romanian EU accession. There are parishes in most major cities.
• Antiochian Orthodox: The Antiochian Orthodox Deanery of the United Kingdom and Ireland serves communities primarily of Middle Eastern heritage.

Where the deceased was a member of an Orthodox parish, contact with that parish priest is the first step. The parish community will typically rally to support the bereaved family, helping with the preparation of food for the wake (koliva, a wheat dish, is traditionally prepared for commemorations in many Orthodox traditions), attendance at services, and practical assistance.

The Forty-Day Commemoration

The fortieth day after death is of particular theological significance in Orthodox Christianity. It is understood that the soul, during the forty days following death, undergoes a process of judgment — encountering the tolls (muitarstva in the Russian tradition) — before being assigned to its place of awaiting the Final Resurrection.

The panakhida on the fortieth day is one of the most important services that can be performed for the departed. Orthodox families typically:

• Attend a panakhida at the church on or around the fortieth day.
• Gather family and friends for a commemorative meal, often including koliva (boiled wheat with honey and dried fruit, a traditional Orthodox funeral food symbolising the grain that must die to bear fruit).
• Make donations to the poor or to the church in the name of the deceased.
• Distribute food, clothing, or other items in memory of the deceased.

The fortieth-day commemoration is followed by annual commemorations on the anniversary of death and during the designated Soul Saturdays of the Orthodox calendar. These commemorations are not merely customs — they are understood as acts of love and mercy that benefit the soul of the departed.

Practical Guidance for Arranging an Orthodox Funeral in the UK

For families arranging an Orthodox Christian funeral in the UK, the key practical steps are:

• Contact the priest immediately. The priest is the first call after death — they can guide the family through the traditions of their specific jurisdiction, hold an initial panakhida, and advise on burial arrangements.
• Find a funeral director experienced with Orthodox customs. Not all funeral directors are familiar with open coffin traditions, icon placement, or the timing of liturgical services. Asking the parish priest for recommendations is sensible.
• Arrange burial. Most Orthodox families choose burial in an available cemetery. Some cities have sections of municipal cemeteries designated for Orthodox or Eastern Christian burial. Orthodox families often prefer east-facing graves (facing the direction of the rising sun, symbolising the Resurrection).
• Allow sufficient time for viewing. The traditional open coffin viewing period — one to three days — may need to be factored into the funeral arrangements. Discuss this with the funeral director at the outset.