2. Documents and burial
Documents needed for burial
For burial you need: the medical death certificate and the form 1-P from RACS. The deceased's passport is needed at RACS for processing. The cemetery administration issues the burial permit and allocates the plot based on form 1-P (free within the norm, or paid for an extra plot / services). For interment in a family grave, bring the document proving the right to use that plot. The (colored) death certificate for the archive is issued at RACS.
Types of burial
The body is buried in a coffin in the ground — the most common option. Cremation is permitted in Ukraine: ashes in an urn may be buried, kept in a columbarium, or (at designated sites) scattered. Interment is when there is already a family grave with space. The choice depends on the deceased's wishes, the family's faith and plot availability.
Funeral service, panikhida, parastas: what they are
The funeral service (burial rite) is performed by a priest before burial — a farewell. A panikhida is a shorter memorial service that can be ordered anytime. A parastas is a solemn panikhida with many candles, usually on the 9th, 40th day and anniversaries. A litiya is a short prayer at the grave, often read by the family without a priest. All can be arranged at a church in advance.
What is served at the memorial table
Traditionally: kutia (wheat with honey or poppy seeds), uzvar (dried fruit compote), borscht, varenyky, a meat dish, fish, pies, roasted poultry. Alcohol is optional and moderate. The dishes are simple, homemade. What matters is shared prayer and quiet remembrance, not a lavish table.
Caring for the grave
The grave is tidied before each memorial day and in spring after winter. Litter is taken off the cemetery, not left on other plots. Flowers — fresh or artificial, per family custom. The cross and plaque are kept clean. If there is a family plot nearby, care for it together. In winter you may tidy, but do not break the ice around the monument.
3. Traditions, memorial days and etiquette
Calendar of memorial days
The Church sets special days of remembrance: the 9th and 40th day after death, the anniversary (death day each year), the Ecumenical Parents' Saturdays (before Great Lent and before Trinity), Radonitsa (the Tuesday after Easter), Dmytro's Saturday (in autumn), and the Sunday of the Dead. On these days panikhidas are served and graves are tended.
What to do on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day
Day 3 — a memorial meal at home after burial. Day 9 — order a panikhida, prepare the memorial meal, give alms. Day 40 — the greatest memorial day: parastas, a shared meal, the end of active mourning. After day 40 the family remembers the deceased on anniversaries and Parents' Saturdays. Count the days from the day of death, including it.
Death anniversary
Each year on the day of death the family remembers the deceased: a panikhida, a shared meal, a visit to the grave. This is a quiet remembrance, not a celebration. You may light a candle at home and read a prayer. Many families renew the photo or memory video on this day.
How to behave at the cemetery
Keep quiet and respect: do not wail, do not play music near others' graves, do not photograph strangers without permission. Do not sit on or walk over others' graves. Do not leave food or alcohol on the stone — that is superstition, not tradition. Bring children along and quietly explain the meaning. Respect others' grief as you would your own loss.
What to bring to the grave
Bring flowers (an even number, fresh or artificial — not a single one), a candle, and a wreath with a mourning ribbon. Food is not left — it is served at the memorial meal at home. You may clear litter and water the flowers. Keep the plaque or cross clean. Personal items stay between you and the memory, not for show.