Orthodox Funeral Resources

Let’s start with the items needed for an Orthodox burial. Below, you will find examples of the items needed for a funeral and burial within the Orthodox Church and the links where you can purchase them. These are just a few examples of where you can purchase these items, but there are many more monasteries and online shops that are not listed below. Since we all will die, there is no need to wait for our physical death to purchase the items our loved ones will need to bury us. If you have the space, why not incorporate your future coffin in your icon corner by building some removable shelves (see picture below for example)?

• Burial Shroud
  • https://newromepress.com/burial-shroud/ – $45
  • http://www.orthodox-coffins.com/Burial-Shroud.html – $100 (includes matching headband)

• Baptismal gown or Burial clothes
  1. A group of sewers and quilters from the congregation can make a handful of baptismal gowns to have on hand.
  2. https://www.etsy.com/listing/507931309/baptismchristening-robe-for-adults?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=baptismal+robe+orthodox&ref=sr_gallery-1-9&frs=1&organic_search_click=1 – $152.90 (custom)
  3. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1322589265/orthodox-baptismal-gown-adult-baptismal?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=baptismal+robe+orthodox&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&frs=1&organic_search_click=1 – $85

• Cross
  1. https://store.ancientfaith.com/wood-wall-cross-russian-cherry/ – $45
  2. Can be made by member carpenters

• Icon Suggestions
  1. Your Patron Saint
  2. Resurrection (For Example: https://www.uncutmountainsupply.com/categories/icons.html )

• Casket or coffin
  1. http://www.orthodox-coffins.com/Ordering.html – $2,400 +
  2. Nocturnes Woodcrafting: local Arizona owned casket/coffin and furniture company. For pricing, custom orders, and more information visit Gab Marketplace! https://gab.com/NocturnesWood
  3. Church members who are carpenters can make a few over the winter during a weekend class.
  4. Several monasteries make coffin/caskets:
     1. https://holyassumptionmonastery.com/caskets – $1,500 +
     2. http://www.stbarbaramonastery.org/caskets – $1,800 +

Resources on Orthodox funerals

Books

• A Christian Ending by Dn. Mark Barna https://store.ancientfaith.com/a-christian-ending/
• The Liturgy of Death by Fr. Alexander Schmemann https://svspress.com/the-liturgy-of-death/
• The Funeral Service Book Compiled by Fr John Winfrey https://store.antiochianvillage.org/Funeral_Service_Book.html

Audio

1. A Christian Ending to Our Lives: 7 part lecture series by Fr. Josiah Trenham https://patristicnectar.org/bookstore_121201_1

Video

1. Youtube playlist with a collection of various videos of church fathers and deacons on the subject of Orthodox burial and funeral practices: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcbMY10YZfheJ5-GEYHkbdNSIeoWYiJRV