The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MACEDONIAN GREEK ORTHODOX FUNERAL

THE FUNERAL CEREMONY OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX IS MUCH LIKE ANY
OTHER RELIGION ITSELF, BUT MANY SYMBOLS ARE USED. THE PALLBEARERS
MUST WEAR WHITE GLOVES SO THEY DO NOT
STAIN THE SOUL OF THE DEAD PERSON
WHEN THE PROCESSION GETS TO THE CEMETERY EVERYONE IS GIVEN A CANDLE,
THE SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LIFE. THE PALLBEARERS ARE GIVEN THREE
REMEMBRANCES OF THE DECEASED LIKE A PAIR
OF SOCKS, A PITCHER, AND A TOWEL
ALSO AT THE CEMETERY THEY EAT BREAD AND
DRINK WINE. THE BROTHERS OF THE
DECEASED CAN NOT SHAVE FOR SIX WEEKS AFTER
THE DEATH BECAUSE THE SHAVINGS
WILL FALL IN THE EYES OF THE DEAD PERSON
AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE
THE GATES OF HEAVEN.
THE PALLBEARERS AND FAMILY MUST MEET AT THE
CEMETARY THREE, SIX, NINE, AND
TWELVE MONTHS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE PERSON.
AND THEN EACH YEAR AFTER
AS LONG AS THE MOTHER WANTS. AT EACH
MEETING THE PALLBEARERS ARE AGAIN GIVEN
SOME ARTICLES IN REMEMBRANCE AND BREAD AND WINE IS HAD. ALSO
EACH PERSON IS GIVEN A CANDLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

Date learned: 00-00-1979