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Funeral services are only conducted for eligible Greek Orthodox Christians. Anyone wishing to have a Greek Orthodox funeral service must have been Baptized or Chrismated in the Orthodox Church and, if married, had their marriage blessed in the Orthodox Church.

 

If your loved one is about to pass away, it is important to contact the Priest immediately so that he may perform their last rights. This includes the offering of Holy Confession, Holy Communion, and prayers.

 

If your loved one has already passed away, please contact the funeral home and the church to coordinate the funeral date before any other details are finalized. 

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We highly recommend Toll Funeral Home because they understand proper Greek Orthodox burial traditions, support our community and church, and take special care of our members and their families. Immediate support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  To contact them directly, click here Toll Funeral Home

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55 Charing Cross St

Brantford, ON , N3R 2H4

519-753-8655

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FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

1. Arrangements for the funeral service should be made with the church in conjunction with the funeral director.
2. Funerals are not permitted on Sundays and Holy Friday.
3. The Priest may conduct a Trisagion (viewing with prayers) the evening before the funeral or in some cases, in the morning before the funeral.​​

• Candles for the visitation will be provided by the church along with a donation box

4. Items needed for the funeral (to be brought by family):

• Sacramental Sweet Red Wine (Natural fruit of vine and not corrupt. Specifically, a sweet red wine made of pure grapes with no additives like Mavrodaphne.  Kirkland Tawny Port is also another appropriate selection. For more information on the importance of sacramental wine, watch the video available @ https://youtu.be/mraGcu4UNdQ) 

• Olive Oil 

• Prosforo (Holy Bread)

• Kolyva (boiled wheat)

• Savana (can be purchased from the church for $50)​

5. The banquet hall can be used for the Makaria following the funeral, but must be coordinated with Banquet Manager in advance. 

• Catering can be provided by the Hellenic Community Centre's in-house caterer.

• To receive member benefits, you must ensure your memberships dues are paid to date.

6. Items needed for the Makaria (to be brought by family):

• Cookies (like paximathia, koulouria etc.)

7.  Wine and Metaxa must be purchased through the Hellenic Community Centre per AGCO Liquor Laws.

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WHAT DO I DO WITH MY PARENTS MARRIAGE CROWNS (STEPHANA)?

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There are no church polices that require the stephana to be buried with the deceased however, burying the stephana (marriage crowns) with the deceased is an optional social custom.  The stephana are sometimes placed in the casket of the last surviving parent and others choose to cut the ribbon that joins the stephana and bury one crown with each parent when the time comes. Others hold onto their parents stephana and choose to be buried with them when the time comes.

 

It is a personal choice, however, like all other blessed items we receive from the church (Palm crosses, flowers from the Epitaphio, cotton from holy oil etc) throwing them away is not permitted.  If you do have the desire or ability to place the stephana in the casket and do not wish to keep them, they should be safely burned and the ashes buried in the earth. 

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