Sacred Transformation: The Rituals of Honoring the Departed

At the heart of Orthodox rituals lies an energy of deep faith and reverence that transforms the ordinary remembrance of the deceased into a truly sacred ceremony. The rites that accompany the veneration of remains go far beyond simple ceremonies, becoming a real bridge between the living and the departed, turning their dust into a symbol of eternal divine presence.

Traditionally, after the church Sacraments, the body of the deceased embarks on a new spiritual journey and is transformed into something akin to a relic. This process is closely intertwined with the veneration of icons – the deep respect and awe with which the faithful approach relics forming an integral part of the church experience. The spiritual significance of these rites is especially underscored by the reading of sacred texts, such as the Psalter, and the holding of requiem services. Every prayer and every invocation for repose becomes an expression of eternal memory and a testament to the unbreakable spiritual bond with those who have already departed from this world.

Another important tradition is ceremonial vesting – particularly in the case of monastic rites, where special garments emphasize the sanctity and uniqueness of the moment. This approach demonstrates that every action within the rites is imbued with profound meaning and respect for the departed, underscoring their significance in the life of the community.

These ancient practices not only preserve the memory of the ancestors but also imbue the act of veneration with the magic of sacred rituals, uniting the hearts of the faithful into one spiritual whole. Thus, the tradition transforms memorials into a solemn celebration of life, where every movement and every word supports an eternal dialogue between the past and the present.

What traditions and practices exist for the respectful treatment of the remains of deceased relatives?

There is an entire complex of traditions and rites aimed at expressing deep and respectful regard for the remains of departed loved ones, as it is believed that their dust or relics acquire a sacred status. For example, according to the writings of Athanasius (Sakharov), the remains of the deceased are often referred to as “relics.” In the context of rituals, this term emphasizes that the human body, after death, is sanctified by the church Sacraments and becomes a kind of holy relic, worthy of special veneration – “the dear remains of the dearly departed become something of a relic” (source: link , page: 144-145).

It is also noted that in the Orthodox tradition, the veneration of relics is akin to the veneration of icons. This means that the remains are accorded the same deep reverence as holy images: “Our respectful veneration of the relics of the holy servants is rendered in the same manner as the veneration of an icon” (source: link ). In this way, the rituals associated with girding, vesting, and the subsequent veneration of the remains serve to express the spiritual bond between the living community and the departed relatives.

Furthermore, church rites include the reading of sacred texts, such as the Psalter, and the performance of special requiem services. The custom of reading the Psalter for the deceased signifies that the prayerful remembrance of the departed holds an important place in religious culture (source: link ). Services that include prayers for repose and absolution accumulate numerous requiem formulas as an expression of eternal memory and a reverent attitude towards the departed.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that although specific procedures of vesting (such as vesting the body of a monk, where appropriate church garments are put on) may not apply to all deceased relatives, they reflect a general principle of respectful and meticulous treatment of the remains, underscoring their sanctity (source: 5998.txt, page: 83-84).

Thus, the traditions of respectful treatment of the remains of the deceased include:
• Viewing the remains as sacred relics that are venerated similarly to icons.
• The performance of requiem services, including the reading of the Psalter and prayers for repose, which serve as expressions of memory and spiritual connection.
• Special ceremonial vesting and preparation of the body (particularly in the monastic context), which emphasizes its special significance.

Supporting citation(s):
"All those praying hold burning candles, just as on great feasts. Just as abundant incensations of the censer are performed during grand celebrations, so too does every remembrance begin and end with the remembrance of the dead body—a honor customarily accorded to the icon of the feast, the venerated relic, and the leader of the church assembly. It is no coincidence that in most cases, the body of the deceased, following the burial, is referred to as 'a relic.' The dear remains of the dearly departed become something of a relic. And indeed, they are a relic, having been sanctified repeatedly by the church Sacraments." (source: link , page: 144-145)

"Our respectful veneration of the relics of the holy servants is rendered in the same manner as the veneration of an icon. Therefore, much of what is said in defense of icons may also be applied to relics. In my view, one of the most curious circumstances regarding the vehement rejection of the veneration of relics by Protestants is that they themselves quite openly venerate the relics of those they love." (source: link )