Funerals
Funeral services are conducted only for those people who are Orthodox Christians in Canonical and Spiritual good standing with the Church. In other words, only those people who have been Baptized and Chrismated in the Orthodox Church and have had their marriage blessed in the Orthodox Church are eligible for an Orthodox Christian Funeral.
In the event of a death in the family, the following steps should be takeN
Step 1: Contact the Cathedral
Call the Cathedral Office (404-633-5870) and ask to speak with a member of the Clergy or the Parish Administrator immediately upon the death of a loved one to schedule the Funeral Service date and time. When scheduling the time for a funeral, please be mindful that funerals take place at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. depending on the liturgical schedule for the day.
Step 2: Contact a Funeral Home
Call the funeral home of your choice, who will assist with your departed loved one, and can advise you on making arrangements.
Step 3: Making Funeral Arrangements
Arrangements for the funeral service should be made with the Clergy in conjunction with the funeral home. No funerals are permitted on Sunday, the day of the Resurrection of our Lord.
The current practice is for the viewing to take place on the day of the funeral at the Cathedral. The Cathedral offers this as a courtesy to the deceased’s family and our parishioners. A Trisagion may be offered during the viewing in the Narthex on the morning of the funeral.
Other Considerations
No lay person is permitted to deliver a funeral eulogy in the Church. The Metropolis of Atlanta explicitly prohibits lay people speaking in Church but does allow them other opportunities to speak outside of the Church.
Funeral ceremonies conducted by AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope, may be held the evening before at the funeral home during the viewing. If there is no viewing the night before the funeral ceremonies by AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope may be held the Narthex prior to the start of the Funeral.
A Funeral Service May Not Be Held in certain Cases
Suicide — If an Orthodox Christian has committed suicide a Church Funeral is permitted, with the blessing of the local Hierarch, when it is determined that it is a result of mental illness, severe emotional stress or when a physician can verify a condition of impaired rationality. In this case, please call the Cathedral Office and speak with the Clergy for guidance.
Cremation — Cremation is not permitted in the Orthodox Church. Therefore, Funerals are not permitted in the Church or at the funeral home for an Orthodox person who has been cremated. In these circumstances, a member of the Clergy may come to the funeral home, offer an informal service, and deliver a message. When possible, it is preferable that the body be present for the informal service before being cremated.
Orthodox Burial Plots
The Cathedral has two dedicated, Orthodox sections at Greenwood Cemetery. Please call the Cathedral Office at 404-633-5870 to inquire about purchasing a plot.
Memorial Donations
Some families request memorial donations in lieu flowers. The choice of the family should be communicated to the funeral home prior to the funeral so that notification can be placed in the obituary. Acknowledgments for donations made to the Cathedral are sent to the family of the deceased as well as the donor.
Makaria (Memorial Meal) – Funeral Luncheon
The Makaria meal following the funeral service and interment serves as a means of comforting the bereaved family while expressing gratitude to those attending and assisted in their hour of grief. These meals are not mandatory. Contact the Cathedral Office at 404-633-5870 for suggested venues.
Scheduling Memorial services
To schedule memorial services please contact the Cathedral Office at 404-633-5870. Please remember to provide the Orthodox name of your departed loved ones.