Full Question: Cremation is a popular way today to deal with the body of a lost one. What is the correct procedure for a proper Ukrainian Catholic burial?

Answered by: Fr. Rendy

Response:

The usual practice regarding funerals in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton is to have a service (called a Parastas) in the evening before the day of burial. This generally takes place in church, but it can be held in the chapel of the funeral home. On the day of burial, the body is brought to church for the regular funeral liturgy for the deceased.  If cremation is to take place, it should be done after the liturgy, with the proper burial at a cemetery with the urn.  In some cases, for example, when someone passes away in another country or in another province and cremation has already taken place, the urn is to be brought to church, placed on a table beside the tetrapod (the table at the front of the main aisle), and the regular funeral liturgy for the deceased follows.  After liturgy, the urn is taken to the cemetery with the proper burial.