Funerals and Memorials

 

The Church extends its deepest condolences to the families who have suffered a loss. Funeral services are available for any of our Orthodox brothers and sisters and we would suggest the following course of action given a death in the family:

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• Contact the appropriate medical examiner or doctor to obtain a certificate of death.  Please click on the Funeral Packet to download the PDF for all the information regarding the Funeral.  

• Call the Church office at Telephone (760) 942-0920 to speak with the priest and make arrangements for the funeral, memorial service.

• Contact one of the local area funeral directors for scheduling a viewing and funeral service.​

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Donations

 

Many of our parishioners and their families request Donations to be designated to the Church in commemoration of their loved one. Donations may be made towards any aspect of the Church or to the discretion of the priest. Please notify the priest and the funeral director should a memorial donation request be desired.  

 

Makaria (Meal following the funeral service)

 

A warm custom of our faith, the Makaria is a meal following the funeral service to comfort the family and to commemorate the life of the loved one lost.

 

Rental Facilities

 

• Constantine G. Pappas Hall - with entry foyer, outdoor patio, and professional kitchen is well appointed for Makaria.

 

For more information or to take a tour of our facilities, please contact the Church office at:

760-942-0920, office@stsconstantinehelen.com 

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Cremation

 

Because the Orthodox Faith affirms the fundamental goodness of creation, it understands the body to be an integral part of the human person and the temple of the Holy Spirit, and expects the resurrection of the dead. The Church considers cremation to be the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made and ordained for us. The Church instead insists that the body be buried so that the natural physical process of decomposition may take place. The Church does not grant funerals, either in the sanctuary, or at the funeral home, or at any other place, to persons who have chosen to be cremated. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva (boiled wheat) are not allowed in such instances, inasmuch as the similarity between the “kernel of wheat” and the “body” has been intentionally destroyed.