Organizing a Memorial Service in Kyiv and the Region

A memorial service for the deceased is a deeply spiritual rite filled with prayer and hope. Ascension Funeral Bureau will help you arrange this important farewell stage with respect, tact, and full compliance with church canons. We handle every organizational detail so that you can focus on your feelings and the cherished memories of your loved one.

Memorial service for the deceased

The current price of a memorial service is 2,500 UAH. This cost covers not only the ceremony itself but also the complete preparation: we coordinate with the priest, schedule the time and place for the funeral rite, and advise you on every nuance and required attribute.

What is a memorial service and why is it important?

The funeral rite is a united prayer of the Church and the family for the soul of the departed. Its main purpose is to ask the Almighty for the forgiveness of the deceased's sins—both conscious and forgotten—to ease their path to the Kingdom of Heaven.

The key moment of the service is the priest’s reading of the prayer of absolution, which, according to faith, frees the soul from earthly vows. The rite is a manifestation of the love and care of the living, and it brings spiritual comfort to the family, reminding them of eternal life and the hope of future resurrection.

Where can the funeral rite take place?

We will help arrange the ceremony wherever it is most convenient for the family and appropriate to the circumstances.

Memorial service in a church

This is the most traditional and canonical option: the casket with the body is brought to the church for a full service.

Conducting the rite at the cemetery

If visiting a church is not possible, you can order a memorial service directly at the burial site. The priest will perform the rite by the open grave before the casket is lowered into the ground.

Funeral rite in a ceremonial hall or crematorium chapel

For the family’s convenience, the entire farewell can take place in one location. This allows for the civil tribute and the church rite to follow each other without additional travel.

Memorial service at home or in the morgue

In special cases, by prior arrangement, the priest can come to a home or morgue to perform a shortened farewell rite.

Remote memorial service: when and how is it performed?

A remote memorial service is conducted when the body of the deceased is absent. Initially, this format was rare and used when a person died in a disaster, in war, or went missing and the body could not be found. Today, the rite can also be held sometime after the funeral if it was not possible to do so earlier. During the service, prayers are read over soil that is later given to the family to scatter crosswise on the grave.

What needs to be prepared for the rite?

The funeral rite requires certain ritual items symbolizing the soul’s journey to God:

  • A body cross (if the deceased is not wearing one).
  • A small icon (the Savior for men, the Mother of God for women).
  • A burial shroud decorated with a cross and prayers.
  • A paper “wreath” for the forehead as a symbol of victory over death.
  • The text of the prayer of absolution placed into the deceased’s right hand.
  • Candles for everyone attending the ceremony.

How to request a priest for the funeral through our bureau?

We made the process as simple as possible to spare you unnecessary concerns. To order a memorial service, follow a few easy steps:

  1. Contact our funeral agent by phone at any time.
  2. Provide the deceased’s denomination, the desired place, date, and time of the rite.
  3. Our specialist will handle all communication, agree on the details with the priest, and make sure everything is carried out properly.

Frequently asked questions about the memorial service (FAQ)

  • How long does a memorial service last?
    A full church service usually takes 30–40 minutes. A cemetery rite may be slightly shorter.
  • Can a memorial service be held for someone who was not baptized or who died by suicide?
    These are delicate issues that require an individual consultation. The Church does not conduct the rite for the unbaptized. As for suicides, exceptions are possible if the person suffered from mental illness, but a bishop’s special blessing is required.
  • Do I have to be a believer to order a memorial service for a relative?
    No. Ordering the rite is primarily a way to honor the deceased’s faith and uphold important cultural and family traditions.

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