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Funeral Practices |
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Question: I am doing a research paper on death and dying rituals, traditions, and beliefs of the Ukrainian culture. Could you please help, I haven't really been able to find much? Also, I would like to know what the Ukrainians beliefs are surrounding the elderly and putting them in nursing homes? |
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Answer:
Very Rev. Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org
In response to
your question I could perhaps offer some recollections from my
childhood in a community that was largely Ukrainian. It was
traditional to have the body exposed in the family home the evening
before the Funeral. People wept freely. Some even cried out
heartbreaking ritual mourning phrases, bemoaning the loss of the
beloved reposed. People would place coins in the casket - perhaps a
vestige of the Greek myth of the ferryman who would transport the soul
across the river Styx if you had the money to pay him. The casket was
transported by men of the family or friends. Towels were tied around
the casket handles - one for each bearer, who would take it home. A
memorial meal was held which featured a tradition round braided bread
called a "kolach" (from the word "kolo" which means circle - a symbol
of eternity) into which a candle was placed together with some fruit.
Each participant would get one. The first night after the funeral the
family would stay up all night tending a candle which was specially
made out of bees-wax in the form of a spiral - as the vertical portion
burned down, they would pull another part into the vertical position
until the whole spiral candle would be gone. A memorial service
(called a Parastas or a Panakhyda) would be held on the 40th day (this
is still traditional - some families also do it on the 9th). The
mirrors in the house of the departed would be covered during this
time. (I recall that the men closest to the deceased would also
refrain from shaving until the funeral).
Most of these
things are no longer done here in Canada - they may still be doing
similar rituals in Ukraine. The funeral service itself is fairly
standard - texts of it are readily available - even on the internet.
You will note that it encourages the expressing of grief while at the
same time proclaiming the victory of Christ over death - which gives
hope and consolation. Ukrainians, like all people whose perspectives
are moulded by Orthodox Christianity, have a lively sense of
continuing communion with loved ones who have left this world of
space/time. This does not normally lead them to attempt to
communicate with them through mediums and the like. They simply
remember them in their prayers and at Liturgy and believe they too are
remembered and loved. It is not unusual for them to dream of the
departed - and then they will sometimes say special prayers for them.
With regard to
the elderly and nursing homes - there are still many Ukrainians who
continue to care for their elderly in their homes. However nowadays
many are placed in seniors' residences and nursing homes. Many
Ukrainian communities build and support their own residences and homes
for this purpose. The sense of family loyalty and duty is generally
quite strong and expressed in a variety of ways.
Also, please see summary of articles on funerals on this web site.
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Ukrainian Orthodoxy |
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