If one is near death or has just fallen asleep, as soon as possible the priest. If it is at all possible, the priest will come by and say the appropriate prayers and guide the family during this time.

At the appropriate time, if desired, the priest can assist the family in making arrangements. This is normally done at the church with the funeral director. To help keep costs lower and making arrangements easier, St. Justin Martyr does have standard arrangements with funeral directors trained in Orthodox funerals and burials.

The priest will make every effort to accommodate the family’s request. Service times must be coordinate with the liturgical calendar of the church.

It is customary but not necessary to make a gift to the church to cover basic expenses (electric, choir director).

A note about Cremation: The body is an integral part of the human person and a temple of the Holy Spirit. (1Cor. 6:19). It is an icon of God (Gen 1:27). At the Second Coming of our Lord our bodies will be raised. (Jn 5:25-29)