Memorial Service

Our church teaches us that we are part of God’s family while we are alive on earth and we continue to be part of God’s family when we are no longer living on earth. For this reason, our church has special prayers and services for those people who are no longer with us on earth but who are now living with God in heaven.

When a person dies, a special service is conducted in church by the priest. This service is called a funeral. During the funeral service, we say “Good bye,” to the one who died because we will no longer see that person in the world around us. We also ask God to forgive the sins of the person who died and to welcome this person into heaven.

Our church also offers memorial prayers and memorial services at other times after the funeral. The word memorial comes from the word memory or to remember. Memorial services are conducted by the priest, usually on Sunday morning at the end of the Divine Liturgy, but they may also be conducted at other times. Everyone who is in church remembers the person who is no longer living on earth with us and sends prayers and love to that person in heaven. Even when we can’t see this person, we are still together in God’s family - the Church.

Source: GOARCH