The death of a loved one always becomes a heavy emotional shock. Often, people who have never before thought about faith, it is in this situation that they begin to pray for the first time.
Praying for the dead is not only a consolation to the survivors, but also helping the deceased in the afterlife. According to St. John Chrysostom, prayers are incomparably more important than sobs and magnificent tombs.
When to visit the cemetery
For prayers for the dead - including in the cemetery - certain days are set. This is a meaty Saturday (the penultimate Saturday before Lent), parental Saturdays (on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th weeks of Lent and on the eve of the Holy Trinity) and Radonitsa (Tuesday on the 2nd week after Easter). Those killed in the war are commemorated on the last Saturday before St. Dmitry Solunsky, which is celebrated on November 8. Contrary to popular belief, you should not visit the cemetery on Easter Day.
In addition, prayer for the deceased should be on the 9th and 40th days after death, and subsequently on the anniversary of death and the day of remembrance of the saint, whose name he bore.
Prayer in the cemetery should be preceded by prayer in the temple, presence at the service, preferably confession and communion. Before the start of the service, a note "On Rest" should be submitted, indicating the name of the deceased.
When visiting a cemetery, one should not arrange a memorial meal at the grave, leave food there, and even more so - wine or vodka, this is a pagan custom that Christians should not adhere to. It is not necessary to enter into an illusory "dialogue" with the deceased.
