Greek Orthodox funerals in Australia: rites, customs and what to expect

The Greek-Australian community is one of the largest diaspora populations in the world, concentrated in Melbourne and Sydney. Greek Orthodox funerals follow a tradition that has changed very little over centuries. The rites are formal, deeply liturgical, and follow a sequence that begins at the moment of death and continues through memorial services held for years afterwards.

For families arranging a Greek Orthodox funeral and for those attending one, this guide covers what happens at each stage, what the Church requires, and how these traditions are practised in Australian parishes under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

From death to burial

Greek Orthodox tradition expects burial to happen quickly, though not with the same-day urgency of Jewish or Muslim custom. The body is washed and dressed, and the family arranges for a funeral director. The priest is contacted immediately.

Between death and the funeral, the family gathers for prayer. Friends and relatives visit to pay respects, and the atmosphere is one of communal grief rather than private mourning.

The Trisagion (vigil prayer service)

The Trisagion is a short prayer service held after death, usually at the funeral home during a viewing. The name comes from the Greek for "thrice holy," referring to the repeated invocation "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us."

The Trisagion may be served more than once between death and burial. It is the first formal liturgical act after death and sets the tone for what follows. The priest leads the prayers, and the family and close friends attend.

The funeral service

On the day of the funeral, the body is brought to the church for the funeral service. In ideal circumstances, the funeral service is accompanied by the Divine Liturgy (the Orthodox equivalent of a Catholic mass), though this is not always possible given scheduling and clergy availability.

Open casket. The casket is traditionally left open during the church service. An icon of Christ or the Theotokos (Mother of God) is placed on the body or inside the coffin. Mourners file past the open casket to pay their last respects, often kissing the icon or making the sign of the cross.

The open casket is a central element of the Greek Orthodox funeral. It reflects the theology that death is a physical reality to be faced, not hidden. Families who find this difficult should discuss their feelings with the priest, but closing the casket during the church service is contrary to Orthodox practice.

The service itself includes scripture readings, hymns sung by a cantor (psaltis), prayers for the repose of the soul, and the reading of the Apostle Paul's words on resurrection. The congregation stands for most of the service. There are no eulogies during the Orthodox funeral liturgy in the way that Anglican or Catholic services include them. The focus is entirely on prayer and scripture.

Music. Orthodox funerals use Byzantine chant sung by the cantor, not congregational hymns in the Western sense. Secular music, songs from other Christian traditions, and recorded music are not permitted during the service. The music is unaccompanied (no organ, no instruments). This is a consistent rule across all Orthodox parishes.

At the cemetery

After the church service, the procession moves to the cemetery. The Trisagion is repeated at the graveside. The priest pours a mixture of wine and oil over the lowered coffin, a rite symbolising the anointing of the body. Earth is sprinkled on the coffin, and mourners may each drop a handful of soil or a flower into the grave.

The body must be buried facing east. This orientation symbolises where the sun rises and, in Orthodox theology, the direction from which Christ will return. The funeral director and cemetery will coordinate the grave orientation.

The wake (makaria)

After the burial, the family hosts a memorial meal called the makaria. This is typically held at a hall, restaurant, or the family home. The meal includes fish (a symbol of Christ), bread, wine, and other traditional foods. The priest blesses the food and says a prayer before the meal begins.

The makaria is not a celebration of life in the secular sense. It is a communal gathering where the community supports the grieving family, and the tone is sombre.

The priest also blesses the home of the deceased after the funeral, praying for the family's comfort.

Koliva (memorial wheat)

Koliva (sometimes spelled kollyva) is one of the most distinctive elements of Greek Orthodox mourning. It is boiled wheat mixed with sugar, sesame seeds, pomegranate, almonds, and spices, shaped into a mound and decorated with a cross made from powdered sugar or silver dragees.

The symbolism is drawn from John 12:24: as the wheat kernel falls to the earth and dies, it brings forth new life. Koliva represents the hope of resurrection.

Koliva is prepared for the funeral and for every subsequent memorial service. The priest blesses it during the memorial, and portions are distributed to all who attend. Preparing koliva is often the responsibility of a specific family member or a member of the parish community, and the recipe and presentation vary by family tradition.

Memorial services (mnimosino)

The Greek Orthodox Church prescribes a cycle of memorial services after death:

• 3rd day after death
• 9th day after death
• 40th day (the mnimosino, the most significant memorial)
• 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
• Yearly anniversaries thereafter

The 40-day memorial holds particular theological significance. Orthodox tradition teaches that the soul undergoes a period of transition after death, and the 40th day marks its final departure. The mnimosino on this day is a full church service with koliva, prayers, and community attendance.

These memorial services are not optional social gestures. They are liturgical obligations, and the family is expected to arrange them with the parish priest. Missing a memorial, particularly the 40-day, would be unusual and noticed within the community.

Mourning customs

Mourners traditionally wear black. In Greece and among older generations in Australia, a widow might wear black for a year or for the rest of her life. Among Greek-Australians today, a mourning period of roughly 6 weeks is commonly observed, though this varies by family and generation.

During the mourning period, the family typically avoids celebrations, parties, and social events. Close relatives may refrain from attending weddings or baptisms in the weeks following the funeral. Some families cover mirrors in the home, a custom shared with Jewish mourning.

Cremation

The Greek Orthodox Church strictly forbids cremation. This is a non-negotiable theological position, not a preference. The body must be buried intact so it may be raised at the resurrection. A person who chooses cremation may be denied Orthodox funeral rites, though the priest and bishop have some pastoral discretion in difficult circumstances.

For Greek-Australian families, this means burial is the only option if they want an Orthodox funeral. The funeral director should be informed of this requirement from the outset.

What to expect if you are attending

Greek Orthodox funerals are open to non-Orthodox guests. Stand when the congregation stands. You do not need to cross yourself or kiss the icon at the open casket, but you may file past and bow your head as a gesture of respect.

Dress formally in dark colours. Bring flowers if appropriate. Donations to the parish or a nominated charity are also welcome.

The service is conducted primarily in Greek, with some English. The priest may offer brief explanations in English if the congregation includes non-Greek speakers.

Expect the service to run 60 to 90 minutes, sometimes longer if the Divine Liturgy is included. The atmosphere is solemn throughout.

Related information

• Catholic funerals in Australia
• Russian, Serbian and Coptic Orthodox funerals
• How much does a funeral cost in Australia?
• Find a Greek Orthodox funeral director
• Back to: Australian funeral traditions

Frequently asked questions

What happens at a Greek Orthodox funeral?

The rites begin with the Trisagion (vigil prayer service). On the funeral day, the body is brought to the church with the casket traditionally open. Mourners file past to pay respects. At the cemetery, the priest pours wine and oil over the coffin and earth is sprinkled on the grave.

Does the Greek Orthodox Church allow cremation?

No. Cremation is strictly forbidden. The body must be buried intact. A person who chooses cremation may be denied Orthodox funeral rites.

What is koliva?

Koliva is boiled wheat mixed with sugar, nuts, and spices, prepared for memorial services. It symbolises the Resurrection and is blessed by the priest and shared among mourners at the funeral and every subsequent memorial.

What is the 40-day memorial?

The 40-day memorial (mnimosino) is a church service held on the 40th day after death. It is the most significant memorial in the cycle. Memorials are also held on the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, with yearly anniversaries thereafter.

How long is the Greek Orthodox mourning period?

Mourners traditionally wear black. In Australia, a period of around 6 weeks is commonly observed. Older or more traditional families may observe longer mourning. The family typically avoids celebrations and social events during this period.