UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Brantford, Ontario
Spiritual Care, Funeral and Memorial Services
Although Anointing of Oils is typically administered when death may be approaching, it is a Mystery of Healing. It is important to let Father know, so that he can visit with the individual and family members, and offer an opportunity for the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession), Holy Eucharist, as well as Anointing of Oils.
Contact Fr. Don Dudar to make arrangements
Call : 519-751-3990
Email: administrator@stjohnbrantford.com
When Someone Is Sick
At some point in our lives, we face the reality of illness, whether our own, a family member or a friend. In these situations, we are confronted with the frailty of the human body, our finitude and vulnerability. Illness can give us a glimpse of death. It can lead to anguish and despair, or it can lead to spiritual growth and maturity. Illness can also provoke a search for God and a return to Him.
Jesus had great compassion for the sick and suffering. He identified with them: “I was sick and you visited me” (Mt 25:36). He healed many as a sign that the kingdom of God was near and that the radical healing of human beings would be accomplished by His death and Resurrection.
Through the prayers and sacraments of the Church, Jesus continues to “touch” those who suffer illness, to bring them comfort, forgiveness of sins, inner peace and healing.
When someone is suffering grave illness, do not hesitate to call a priest to provide spiritual care. This may include holy anointing, confession, absolution for the forgiveness of all sins, Holy Communion, a blessing and further prayers. This may be done anywhere and at any time: at the hospital, at home, in a care facility, at a chapel or in church; during the day, evening or night.
Faithful may also face decisions regarding medical care and options as end of life nears. We recommend that faithful read and take guidance from the Bishops of Saskatchewan Release Pastoral Letter on Medical Assistance in Dying
When Someone Has Passed Away
At death life is changed, not ended. If someone passes away suddenly, inform the priest. He will come to pray with the family by the body of the departed loved one.
Arrangements for the funeral can be made through the funeral home who will contact the priest.
Lessons from the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
“In funeral rites and memorial services, the Church asks the merciful God to forgive the deceased their sins and to grant their souls ‘repose in the land of the living, in the place of light, where all the saints and righteous have their rest.’ For this the Church also makes ‘atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin’ (2 Mc 12:45).” (510)
“A Christian funeral is always filled with hope for the person’s resurrection in the flesh. This is why the body of the deceased is censed, sprinkled with holy water, and otherwise shown reverence; and it is why it is carried solemnly to the church and cemetery. Those participating in the funeral procession accompany the deceased with their joint prayers to the place of burial. The hope of Christians for eternal life is expressed in the singing “Everlasting memory” which refers to God’s “remembrance” of the person. To be embraced by that memory is to remain in eternal life.” (512)
ORDER OF BURIAL
Burial Vigil
Vigil Prayer takes place in the evening, the night before the burial, at the funeral home or in the church. The first prayer service to take place is the Panakhyda or Parastas, which means “to stand by.” Through prayerful intercession, we “stand by” the person who has fallen asleep.
If the Vigil takes place in the church, the family may request that the body remain in church overnight. Family members are welcome to stay in prayerful vigil by the body as long as they wish. The Psalms may be read at this time.
The casket is traditionally left open during prayers. This custom, established by the wisdom of the Church, encourages the faithful to express their sorrow and grief, which in itself is healing. It also allows the living to personally bid farewell to the deceased with a sense of closure.
Burial Service
On the day of the burial, the body is brought from the funeral home to the church for the Burial Service. The procession into the church is led by the cross, and a Gospel passage is proclaimed at the entrance. Normally, the Burial Service is served without Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion. This service is about 60 minutes in length. If, however, those attending the funeral will be mostly practicing Catholics, the family may request that the Burial Service and Divine Liturgy be offered. This service is about 90 minutes in length.
The Burial Service always concludes with the Final Farewell or Final Kiss. This custom dates back to the fourth century. Family, relatives and friends approach to bid farewell to the one who has fallen asleep. They express their love and devotion by kissing the cross, an icon, or by touching the person’s hand or the casket. The service in church ends with the Prayers for the Departed, the singing of Everlasting Memory and the Final Prayer of Absolution.
Procession & Burial
The procession from the church is led by the cross, followed by clergy, the casket, family, relatives and friends. A Gospel reading is proclaimed at the main doors. From the church, the body is escorted to the cemetery, where a brief service takes place at the graveside. If the family wishes, the body may be lowered immediately into the grave.
Burial – the Norm
For theological and pastoral reasons, the burial of the physical body continues to be the preference and the norm for the Church. However, cremation has been permitted by the Church, provided that belief in the final and general resurrection of the body is maintained. As a sign of respect for the integrity of the whole person, the prayer services should take place in the presence of the physical body, with cremation taking place after all the prayers and rites have been completed. The cremated remains are to be interred in a proper burial site, not only to confirm that the person has been “buried with Christ,” but also to allow for future visitations to the graveside, for prayers and Memorial Services.
Memorial Dinner
The Memorial Dinner or “Tryzna” is an important part of the Order of Burial. It is given in honour of the beloved reposed. Eulogies, tributes, testimonials, slide or video presentations are welcome to take place at any time within the context of the dinner.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
The Parastas and the Panakhyda
The Parastas “(standing service”) is a memorial service for the dead in the Byzantine-Slav tradition. It is also called the “Great Panakhyda”; the (small) Panakhyda forms the conclusion of the Parastas.
The Parastas is as a service of prayer for those who have died and gone forth to God’s judgment. As such, the Parastas is appointed for the five All Souls Saturdays, after the Divine Liturgy, and may also be celebrated on the anniversaries of the deaths of those we love, or on common commemorations such as Remembrance Day.
The ancient Christian tradition of keeping watch or vigil, as well as the basic human desire to accompany the dead to their rest, lie behind the custom of reading the psalter during the night before a burial (for a priest, the Gospel is read). The Parastas is often celebrated in the funeral home as a similar sort of vigil service over the body of the one who has died.
Due to the length of the Parastas, the Panakhyda is sometimes celebrated instead.
The Panakhyda is one of our most important services outside of the Divine Liturgy, celebrated fairly frequently in the Ukrainian Catholic Church. This service is held several times as part of the funeral and graveside services for one who has died, and may be celebrated after the Divine Liturgy, particularly on All Souls Saturdays or on the anniversary of the death of a loved one.
Like all our services for the departed, it provides an opportunity to pray for the soul of the one who has died, asking God to grant them rest and forgiveness of all their sins, and serves to comfort and console those left behind. The name comes from the Greek pannychis, meaning an all-night vigil.
The Panakhyda is ordinarily celebrated:
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Immediately after the death of a Christian, if a priest is present (the prayers for the dying, together with the panakhyda, make up the “Office at the Passing of the Soul”)
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Before the body of the departed Christian is taken to the church for burial
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After the burial, as a graveside service
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On the 40th day after death, and each year thereafter. In these cases, it may immediately follow a Divine Liturgy celebrated for the departed.
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At graveside blessing during the season of Pentecost
The Panakhyda also forms the concluding part of a longer memorial service for the dead, the Parastas.
The structure of the Panakhyda consists of:
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An opening blessing: “Blessed is our God….”
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The usual “beginning prayers”, from “Holy God” through the Lord’s Prayer.
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Troparia for the dead (“With the just souls who have reached their end…”)
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Litany for the Deceased, concluding with the prayer, “O God of spirits and of all flesh.”
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Dismissal
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“Вічная Пам’ять” “Everlasting Memory”
The complete text of the Panakhyda can be found in our Divine Liturgy books on page 133.