Funerals are one of the most ancient customs of our people. The first commemorations began to be celebrated by the ancient Slavs. Then they were called funeral feasts. They were celebrated mainly by leaders and respected warriors. The funeral feast included a feast and military competitions held in honor of the deceased or deceased husband. With the advent of Christianity in Rus', the meaning of funerals changed - more attention began to be paid to the soul of the deceased, which was in a “suspended” state during this period.

Photo 40 days after death

Wake to your liking

The 9-day wake is very important. In most world religions, on this day the soul leaves the habitat of its body and goes on a “journey” across subtle worlds. For “nine” days, relatives and closest friends of the deceased gather in the house of the deceased. They say only good things about him and conditionally “let go” of his soul.

Photo of the forties

The obligatory kutia, pancakes and jelly are served on the table, as well as dishes typical of the area in which the deceased lived.

The forties are a critical time for the soul. It is on this day that it is determined where she will go - to Heaven or Hell. Therefore, relatives gather for a wake 40 days after death to support the soul of the deceased. The more good things are said about the deceased, the higher his chances of finding shelter among the bright angels and finding eternal peace.

Only relatives gather for the funeral for 40 days. Friends of the deceased, pleasant colleagues, colleagues, students and mentors are waiting in the house. According to a tradition preserved from pagan times, funeral celebrations are accompanied by a feast for 40 days.

Photos of the wake 40 days

The principle of selecting dishes for the menu for a 40-day funeral is as follows:

Mandatory dishes: wheat or rice kutia, pancakes without filling, served with honey and jelly. Each of these dishes has accompanied funeral feasts for many centuries. Each of them has a sacred meaning, helping those present to appreciate the frailty of existence.

Traditionally, pies are baked for 40 days after death. With rice and mushrooms, giblets with onions and meat, with berries and cottage cheese.

Meat dishes, if the forties did not fall on fasting.

Fish dishes, which are more loyally considered by church cooking.

Soups, broths - especially in the cold season.

Pickled vegetables and salads, most of which have Lenten interpretations, are therefore considered universal dishes at any memorial event.

Many housewives prepare the deceased’s favorite dish. For example, jellied meat or chicken fricassee.

Sweet cheesecakes, shortcakes, pies, cookies, candies. It is these products that will be distributed to people gathered for the forties, or taken to the nearest shelter.

Poems and speeches are read at the table for 40 days after death. But they should be as less pretentious as possible and as sincere as possible.

One year after death

The year after death is the final event for commemorating the deceased. It is attended mainly by relatives and closest friends. The funeral service menu for the anniversary of death is similar to that served for 9 and 40 days.

Photos from the wake a year after death

When celebrating a wake a year after death, people remember the good things that the deceased had and list his achievements and successes. The funeral a year after death is accompanied by a funeral prayer and a joint trip to the cemetery of the deceased’s closest relatives.

Funerals for six months are celebrated very rarely, because this period does not have any sacred meaning. But, with a special desire or current circumstances - departure abroad, an upcoming wedding, christening, some relatives can celebrate a wake six months after death.
Nine days, forty days, funerals 1 year are milestone events for the soul of the deceased and his relatives in perpetuating his memory. That is why it is customary to celebrate them with a memorial prayer, a feast and good deeds performed in the name of the memory of the deceased.

40 days after death is an important date. What does it mean and how to correctly Christian traditions remember the departed so that they find eternal peace and God's grace. This question is often heard from people who are far from Orthodox traditions, but if the family of the deceased wants to pay a debt of memory and respect to a relative, everything should be done correctly. Therefore, we will tell you how to remember for 40 days after the death of a loved one.

Christians should remember deceased friends and loved ones not only on days of mourning. True believers pray for the souls of their loved ones every minute. But there are dates when you must strictly follow the priest’s instructions. These are three, nine and forty days from the date of death.

The fortieth day is the most important for the soul of the deceased; she receives news of where she will await the Last Judgment.

But until this time, the soul is nearby, it is on earth: it sees everything, hears, and yearns. That is why you cannot indulge in grief for a long time, cry bitterly and ask the deceased to return. A person already suffers from the inability to change something, and grieving relatives bring even greater confusion.

A 40-day wake is an important and responsible event.

At this moment, Orthodox Christians should pray for the deceased, set the table, remember the earthly affairs of the deceased, visit the cemetery, and light a candle in the church for the repose. Order a prayer service in memory of the newly deceased servant of God. These actions make it easier for the soul to transition to another world and help those who are grieving to endure a bitter loss.

How should a believer respond to the death of a loved one?

Our ancestors believed in an afterlife; they spent their entire earthly journey preparing for the transition to a new state. Modern Orthodox Christians and fellow Catholics also believe in the posthumous existence of the soul. After death, we no longer influence where the incorporeal shell will be assigned, but relatives and friends are obliged to sincerely and fervently ask for leniency in order to soften the Lord. Only faith, sacred words and warm memories can ease the fate of the newly deceased. Therefore, it is never too late to express grief and ask the Almighty for mercy. A man has died, but close relatives are asking for him.

Go to church, remember with a kind word someone who is dear to you.

Death is a stage life path. Sooner or later, the hour will come for everyone to die. After earthly existence there comes a period of retribution for what has been done. There is no need to be afraid of the end of life; one should be afraid of punishment for unrighteous deeds and deeds.

The meaning of date in Christianity

Burying a loved one is difficult. 40 days after death, what the date means and how to properly remember the deceased - these are the questions people ask when faced with death. How to express grief, organize a farewell and memorial service, what to serve. In difficult times, relatives get lost and don’t know how to behave properly.

There is no exact answer to the question of why exactly the fortieth day is taken as the key point of the soul’s farewell to the earth. But the Orthodox faith says that the power of prayer on this day can decide the fate of the soul going to heaven. This is the last chance given to influence the highest decision. That is why it is so important to observe the commemoration calendar.

The fortieth day is counted from the moment of death. It doesn't matter whether the sad event happened in the morning or in the evening. It is customary to count the ninth day in the same way. These dates in the Orthodox tradition are called days of remembrance. It is necessary to observe all rituals and traditions so that the soul of the deceased can feel at ease and at peace.

A Christian, a baptized person is remembered with prayer. It is said in church and at home. They hold a funeral dinner and distribute alms to those in need. A mournful meal may be organized outside the house where the deceased lived.

40 is a sacred number. We will find confirmation of this fact in the Bible. So, Moses led the people through the desert for 40 years; After forty days, Jesus ascended to heaven.

After death, the soul goes on a journey: for the first 9 days it worships the Creator. Then, the angels lead her through the afterlife, showing her Heaven and Hell. Finally, God pronounces a verdict regarding her continued existence. After making a decision, the soul goes to permanent rest. Where the Last Judgment and Resurrection awaits.

During these hours, it is important that people pray in church and at home. For this purpose services are ordered.

• Sorokoust
• Funeral Psalter
• Memorial service

How to spend your fortieth day

There are strict requirements for the mourning dinner.

• No alcohol.
• Appropriate clothing.
• Prohibition of loud conversations and funny songs.
• You should not take a wake as an occasion to meet with friends and talk about abstract topics. For socializing, find another place and time.
• Those gathered at the table must adhere to the Orthodox faith. Only they can help the soul of the newly deceased.

Remember, a wake is not a gathering of old friends. You cannot turn a memorial into an ordinary feast, this is a sin.

You should pray for the deceased not only on mourning dates. You need to turn to the Lord with requests starting from the first minutes of death. This will make it easier for the soul to find peace.

Main dishes of the funeral table

The funeral meal is simple. The rules become stricter when she is in office. But even if there are no restrictions on this day, refuse meat food. Prepare lean dishes: vegetables, fish. You cannot donate fast food to the temple.

Products such as cereals, bread, and vegetable oil are brought for the church table. They bring milk and eggs. Candies are suitable to please children.

Obligatory dishes at a funeral meal.

• Kutya
• Fish (baked or boiled)
• Pancakes
• Vegetable salads
• Olivier or vinaigrette with herring
• Lenten cabbage rolls

Complete the list of dishes following the advice of your confessor. He will tell you what to cook for your farewell dinner.

Among the drinks, preference is given to jelly, kvass, and traditional dried fruit compote.

Important! Ignorant people leave vodka on the grave. The Orthodox Church categorically prohibits following barbaric customs. Water, not strong drinks, is poured into a cut glass that is placed near a photograph of the deceased house. Do not forget about traditions and stop attempts to mix pagan rituals with Orthodox canons.

Funeral words

To remember the deceased properly, you should say a few words about him. At a mourning dinner, it is considered the rule to make speeches. But it will be better if those gathered at the funeral feast honor the memory of their friend and relative with a minute of silence. A sad meeting at the funeral table is a time of memories: tell us how wonderful person there was a dead man, what he loved, what virtues he possessed. Tips for hosting an event:

• The funeral speech is pronounced standing.
• The host is chosen to be someone close to the family. He must be collected and keep the situation under control. Do not give in to emotions, be able to calm inconsolable relatives.
• The ceremony director thinks through the speech in advance, prepares soothing phrases in case the words are interrupted due to sobs.

Speeches at funerals are always short so that everyone has the opportunity to speak. It is important to remember that death is not forever. The soul of the deceased passed into a new state. The death of a loved one is a serious test, but try to distract yourself from sad thoughts and support your friends and relatives.

Is it possible to remember before forty days

Life is unpredictable: someone goes on a long business trip or gets sick, so they cannot come to the memorial service on the appointed day. One of the questions people ask is whether it is possible to move the date and commemorate the deceased 40 days ahead of schedule.

The Church does not set strict time frames, but meets the parishioners halfway. The main thing is not to forget about the person: read a prayer, order a service, remember him in church. If the forties fall on a Sunday or Lent, then you can reschedule the funeral dinner and go to the cemetery. This rule also applies to the year from the date of death. It can also be celebrated earlier.

Significant dates of the memorial calendar are three, nine, forty days, the anniversary of death.

Relatives leave things that remind them of their relative.

What prayer to read for 40 days

Prayers are read at home for the repose of the soul. It is not necessary to learn words by heart. The main thing is that they come from the heart. The clergy say that God hears us when we sincerely ask for help. They also say a prayer to Saint War:

O holy martyr Uare, the venerable one, we kindle with zeal for the Lord Christ, you confessed the Heavenly King before the tormentor, and you suffered earnestly for Him, and now the Church honors you, as you are glorified by the Lord Christ with the glory of Heaven, Who has given you the grace of great boldness towards Him, and now you stand before Him with the Angels, and rejoice in the Highest, and see clearly the Holy Trinity, and enjoy the light of the Beginning Radiance, remember also our relatives' yearning, who died in wickedness, accept our petition, and like Cleopatrine, you freed the unfaithful race from eternal torment with your prayers , so remember those who were buried against God, who died unbaptized, trying to ask for deliverance from eternal darkness, so that with one mouth and one heart we may all praise the Most Merciful Creator forever and ever. Amen.

Whatever events happen in life, sad or joyful, people should remember that God is watching over them. Supports in difficult times, encourages, instructs, rejoices when life gets better. This statement is first of all worth remembering when death comes to the house. In the first minutes and hours, it is important not to lose heart, to help the disembodied essence of the deceased safely pass the tests on the way to Paradise.

Commemoration of the deceased is not a tribute to traditions or unquestioning observance of Christian customs. A prayer said without faith is a meaningless set of words. This is painstaking and difficult work that falls on the shoulders of those who remain on earth. Our task is to provide the soul with a comfortable transition to another world, to give the opportunity to rest in Christ, to atone for lifetime sins.

Death is grief and pain for the loved ones of the deceased. Natural consolation is the desire to help, to facilitate the deceased’s transition to other facets of existence. According to Christian religion, the 40th day is considered the most important of all memorial days, because during this period the soul says goodbye to the earth forever and leaves it. Many people organize funerals. What to say on this day and how to behave?

What is the meaning of a funeral ceremony?

It is important to know that the essence of the funeral rite is to make the transition of the soul of a deceased person to another world painless, to help the soul appear before God, to feel peace and tranquility. And this is achieved through prayers. All that will be said about the deceased person on this day: kind words, prayers, good memories and speeches will help the soul to withstand God's judgment. Therefore, it is so important to observe all the traditions associated with this day and know

The main thing on this day is to pray. You can do this yourself, or you can invite a priest.

Christian traditions for day 40

The ritual of remembrance has been known since the very beginning of Christianity. The purpose of the ritual is to give the soul of the person who has passed into another world peace and tranquility, and to help to know the eternal heavenly Kingdom.

To do this, the friends of the deceased should also gather at the funeral table. When a wake is organized after a death, what should we say to those present? It is believed that what more people remembers the deceased in his prayers, the better it will be for the soul of the one for whom they are praying. On this day, it is customary to remember moments from the life of the deceased, focusing on his virtues and good deeds.

Life does not stand still; if earlier the wake was held in the house of the deceased, now it can be done in a restaurant or cafe. The traditions of Orthodoxy oblige to receive more people on this day than on the 9th day, because the soul leaves the earth, and not only relatives, but also everyone who wishes to do so must say goodbye to the person.

40 days after death, wake: what to say at the cemetery?

Visiting the grave of a deceased person is an obligatory part of the funeral ritual. You need to take flowers and a candle with you. It is customary to carry a pair of flowers to a cemetery; even numbers are a symbol of life and death. Laying flowers is the best way to show respect to the deceased.

When you arrive, you should light a candle and pray for peace of mind, then you can simply stand and be silent, remembering the good moments from the life of the deceased person.

Noisy conversations and discussions are not allowed at the cemetery; everything should take place in an atmosphere of calm and tranquility.

Commemoration on the fortieth day in the church

Church commemoration is the mention of the name of the deceased during prayer during the Liturgy for the salvation of the soul and the eternal good of the person being remembered. The ceremony is carried out after the relatives of the deceased submit a note “On repose”. It is important to know that this note contains the names only of those who were baptized in the Orthodox Church.

For the relatives of the deceased best view donations will be a candle for the deceased. At the moment of installing the candle, you need to pray for the repose of the soul, asking the Lord to forgive the voluntary and involuntary sins of the deceased person.

According to the canons of Orthodoxy, funeral services (40 days after death) are not held before the established date. If, by coincidence, it is necessary to carry out the ceremony on an earlier date, then on the next weekend after the forties, it is necessary to give out alms. A church commemoration will also be held on the same day.

Organization of the funeral table

The purpose of a memorial dinner is to remember the deceased person, pray for the repose of his soul, provide psychological support to those in need, and thank people for their participation and help. You cannot organize a dinner with the goal of impressing the guests with expensive and delicious dishes, boasting of an abundance of dishes, or feeding them to their fullest.

The main thing is not food, but uniting in grief and supporting those who are having a hard time. It is important to take into account the main rules of Christianity: restrictions on admission alcoholic drinks, fasting and the presence of the simplest dishes on the table.

You should not perceive a wake as a feast. Large expenses in this case are unjustified; it would be much more useful to direct financial investments into charity.

If more than 40 days have passed since the death, a wake can be held later, if only the funeral table will be moved. It is necessary to pray for the soul of the deceased on the 40th day.

Main dishes of the funeral table

When setting the table, it is advisable to give preference to lenten dishes. At the head of the table there should be porridge cooked from whole grains, with the addition of honey, nuts and raisins. The dish represents the rebirth of the soul and symbolizes the benefits of eternal life.

The composition of the dishes mainly depends on the funeral being organized. Traditionally prepared: pancakes, pies, porridge, cabbage soup and jelly. Various snacks are acceptable: salads, vegetable or Among the first courses: borscht, noodles in chicken broth, beetroot soup. Garnish - buckwheat porridge, pilaf or mashed potatoes. The Church is against alcoholic beverages; in any case, their use should be limited.

If the wake coincided with fasting, then the meat should be exchanged for fish. For salads, vinaigrette is perfect. Let there be mushrooms, vegetables and fruits on the table. The main thing at a wake is to strengthen your strength in order to continue to tirelessly pray for the deceased.

How to prepare a funeral speech

No commemoration is complete without a funeral speech. Sometimes a presenter is invited especially for this occasion, who will help to correctly arrange the order of speeches. If the leader is absent, one of the close relatives should take on his role.

When a wake is held for 40 days after a death, the words spoken at the table should be distributed in a certain order of speakers. First, the speech is given by the closest relatives, then by friends and lastly by acquaintances.

Don't rely too much on improvisation. This is a sad event, and people who are in grief will listen to you. Brevity and accuracy are the main criteria for a funeral speech. Try to find time to practice at home so you can decide where to say nothing and what to add.

Usually all the closest ones come to the wake (40 days after death). The speech given at the table should not consist of a biography of the deceased person, because there will be people who already know well all the life stages of the deceased. It is very good to talk about some fact from life that will serve as proof of the virtues of the deceased.

When preparing a wake for 40 days after a death, poems dedicated to the mourning event can be more useful than ever. They will help you tune in to a lyrical-tragic mood, helping to create an atmosphere of a wake.

You can supplement your speech with a photograph of the deceased or an item that belonged to him, which will prove to those present how good person was deceased. Avoid mentioning the deceased's mistakes, gossip and secrets. There is no place for such speeches at the funeral table.

Sample speech

Many people think when they organize a wake for 40 days after a death: “What to say?”... There is no established version of such a speech. The most important thing is to say the words from the heart. But there are still certain rules, using which you can prepare and speak correctly during the funeral ceremony.

You should begin by greeting those present, followed by a story about who you are to the deceased. Say a few words about mourning and then move on to talk about the good aspects of the person being remembered. If possible, remember the good moments you experienced together. It is very appropriate to involve other people in the memories so that your story is complemented by good memories. The speech ends with a promise to forever remember the one being remembered.

Still, you can remember a deceased person whenever you want. The main thing is to follow the basic rules of the memorial rite: prayer, alms and good memories of the deceased.

The death of a relative or close friend is an event that fills the heart with sorrow. But believers find consolation by doing everything possible so that the soul of the deceased passes painlessly beyond the bounds of earthly things. In Christianity, it is accepted to believe that the fate of a person’s soul is decided on the fortieth day after his death. The soul will say goodbye to earthly life, to everything that it is used to, that it loved. And will leave the world of the living forever.

The decisive date is approaching

Prayer is the main support you provide to the soul of the deceased. While her fate has not yet been decided, close people can soften the verdict of the Higher Powers with their sincere prayers. The Lord, seeing your sincere desire to help the soul of a loved one reunite with Him, can forgive the sins of the deceased by showing fatherly mercy.

Other important points:

1. Mourning clothes. Wearing special strict (not necessarily black) clothes for forty days will help you avoid extremes in behavior - vanity, uncontrollable hysteria.
2. Refusal of entertainment and bad habits.

Preparing for the funeral

On the fortieth day, the soul of the deceased returns to the place of its earthly habitat (for a short time), and after the relatives hold a wake, it leaves the earth forever. Believers are convinced: “seeing off” is the help we provide so that the soul of the deceased finds the Kingdom of Heaven.

Let us remind you what dishes are appropriate at a funeral:

• Kutya. This is the main dish at a funeral.
• Pies (with rice, mushrooms, cottage cheese).
• Berry jelly.
• Sliced ​​cheese, sausage (if the wake falls on Lent, meat dishes- prohibited).
• Potatoes (stewed or mashed).
• A dish that the deceased loved. It could be a salad, stew, pancakes. It is not advisable to cook too complex or exotic dishes.

It is better to avoid alcohol on such a day.

Who should be invited to the funeral?

On the fortieth day after the death of the deceased, his relatives and friends gather for a wake to honor his memory and remember significant (bright) moments from the life of the deceased. It is important for the soul of the deceased that people who knew him during his lifetime remember his good deeds, about best features his character.

It is customary to invite to the “seeing-off” not only close friends and relatives of a person who has passed on to another world, but also his colleagues, students, and mentors. Ideally, everyone who treated the deceased well can come to the wake. After all, the fortieth day is the day of the final separation of the soul from the world of the living.

There is no need to spend large sums of money to impress relatives who come to the funeral with a variety of dishes. It would be wiser to provide financial assistance orphans or people burdened with serious illnesses.

Before the funeral, the deceased’s belongings should be sorted out and distributed to relatives and friends. You can't throw them away. The more sincere prayers for the soul of the deceased are heard on the fortieth day after his death, the better it will be for everyone. Both to the deceased and to those who mourn him. Discussion of some dark secrets of the deceased, his mistakes and unseemly actions is taboo. If you know there will be gossipy people at the wake, talk to them in advance and ask them to be polite.

Where to go?

On the fortieth day, the relatives of the deceased go to church and submit a note “On repose.” Of course, such notes are allowed to be submitted only for those who have been baptized. You can take some of the things of a deceased person to the church - there will always be those who will be happy with even a modest gift.

A visit to the cemetery is the second important moment of the “seeing off”. Relatives, when going to the cemetery, take with them bouquets of flowers and lamps. Each bouquet that will be placed on the grave of the deceased must contain an even number of flowers.

On this day it will be decided whether the soul of the deceased will fall into the Light... or join the Darkness. If you lay flowers on the grave of the deceased, pray for the peace of his soul - this will be the best way to express your love to him.

Vanity and controversy are not for this day...

It is worth deciding in advance who will be the leader at the wake. Most often, this role is taken on by the spouse of the deceased. If the pain of loss is so strong that it is difficult for a person to talk about the deceased without tears, you can appoint one of the friends or colleagues of the deceased as the “host”. What should the presenter do:

• Make sure that everyone who wishes gives the funeral speech.
• Do not allow the wake to develop into an exchange of gossip or into a quarrel.
• Catch the moment when guests get tired of what is happening and start talking about everyday things. This is a signal that the wake needs to end.

Conversations about inheritance, illnesses of family members, and the personal lives of guests are not what should be heard at the funeral table. A wake is a “gift” to the soul of the deceased, and not a reason to notify the world about your own problems.

Additionally

40 days after death - how to remember the deceased, what traditions are associated with this day... People believe that this memorial day is important for the human soul, at this time the spirit of the deceased appears before the Lord for the third time and finds out where he will be until the Last Judgment .

In the article:

40 days after death - as the Orthodox remember

The death of a loved one is a grief for relatives and friends. If you believe the Christian religion, then the 40th day is considered one of the most significant among funeral days (Orthodox tradition). However, not everyone knows how to behave on such a day.

It is important to realize that the living are able to help the deceased pass painlessly into another world, cleanse himself, and find peace and harmony. This is achieved.

You will help your deceased loved one withstand God’s judgment if on this day you speak kind words about him, remember his best deeds and pray. You can do this yourself or call a priest to the funeral.

In Orthodoxy, family members, friends, and acquaintances of the deceased gather for a meal. There is an opinion that what more people on the 40th day he will say a prayer, remember the deceased, the better the soul will be.

An important part of the funeral rite is. Be sure to bring flowers and candles with you. Remember, a pair of flowers is placed on the grave. This way you show respect to the deceased.

Arriving at the cemetery, mandatory light a candle and pray for the repose of your soul. Stand by the grave, remember all the good moments that you associate with this individual; it is forbidden to talk loudly or discuss vigorously. A quiet atmosphere of peace and tranquility is required.

You can also remember him in the temple. For this purpose, a liturgy is ordered for the salvation of the soul. Important: it can be ordered by those who were baptized in Orthodox Church. Family members light candles for the deceased. At the moment when you set it on fire, be sure to pray for the repose of the soul and ask that the person be forgiven all sins: voluntary and unintentional.

In Orthodoxy, it is forbidden to hold a funeral before the appointed date. However, if it is impossible to carry out the ritual correctly for this period, then on the next Saturday after 40 days, distribute alms to the poor.

Remember, a wake is not a feast with sophisticated dishes, arranged to meet friends. On such a day, one should remember the deceased, pray for him, and say “thank you” for all the good that the person has done.

Need to prepare simple dishes, limit alcohol intake. It is believed that there should be more on the table Lenten dishes. Be sure to prepare kutya. This porridge with honey, nuts and raisins turns out to be a symbol of the rebirth of the soul. They often make pancakes, cabbage soup, and various porridges.

If the memorial day coincides with fasting, then pork, beef, and lamb must be replaced with fish.

If you want to give a speech about the deceased, then remember that initially the word is given to children/brothers, sisters/parents, then to close friends, acquaintances - last. The speech always ends with a promise to remember the deceased person.

Where is the soul of the deceased until 40 days

Christian believers believe that the spirit of a deceased individual travels a long way up to 40 days. From the day of her death until the 3rd, she was close to her family, loved ones and dear people, moves anywhere.

Religious people are confident from 3 to 40 period human spirit visits Hell and Heaven. Throughout this entire period, it is still unknown where the soul will end up. The spirit will have to endure ordeals and tortures, which turn out to be the embodiment of sinful passions, familiar to all people.

After which the demons give a list of human misdeeds, the angels provide a list of good deeds. does not seem canonical and is not included in the main doctrinal code of Orthodoxy.

According to the teachings of Christians, after the soul of the deceased has seen Hell and Heaven, it appears for the third time before the Almighty. It is at such a moment that fate must be decided. Wherever the soul goes, it will remain until the Last Judgment.

Until this moment, she had already imagined the delights of Paradise, realized whether she was really worthy or unworthy to stay there. She saw all the horrors of Hell and must completely repent and pray to God for mercy. Therefore, the Orthodox regard the 40th day as a decisive moment.

To support a deceased relative, you should pray fervently. This will help influence the verdict of the Almighty regarding the soul. If a person is sent to Hell, this does not indicate that all is lost for him. The final fate of mortals will be decided during the Last Judgment, and fervent prayer will help change the verdict of the Lord.

In such a situation, if a soul is sent to Paradise, then with fervent prayer the relatives will thank the Almighty for the grace shown. The number 40 is symbolic in Christianity. It is not surprising that the commemoration of the deceased occurs on the 40th day.

For exactly the same number of days they mourned the forefather Jacob and the prophet Moses. After a 40-day fast on Mount Sinai, Moses received the tablets of the Covenant from the Almighty, during which period the prophet Elijah reached Mount Horeb.

40 days after death - traditions of different religions

Funerals on the 40th day are important in Orthodoxy.
Muslims a meal in memory of the deceased is held on the 40th day after death. In this religion, the formal side of the ritual is significant. Men and women taking part in the ritual commemorate the deceased person not in the same room, but in different ones. In some cases, men take part in the ritual.

Sweet tea is placed on the table first, followed by pilaf. Many people believe that people should not talk to each other during meals; they should pray fervently. In Islam it is not customary to cry for the deceased. On this day it is necessary to humble grief. If you can’t restrain yourself, you need to do it as quietly as possible.

The funeral itself takes place at a fast pace, after which everyone goes to the cemetery. In the period from 3 to 40 days, you can organize charity meals for the disadvantaged, the poor, and distribute dishes to them.

At the same time, the relatives themselves are prohibited from eating a lot and preparing luxurious dishes for those who remember them. But every Thursday until the 40th day, remember the deceased, set the table, drink tea with halva prepared according to the recipe.

In Judaism people don't turn a meal into a feast. During the first week it is forbidden to set large tables. As soon as the person is buried, all the mourners' loved ones (who want to pay tribute to the deceased) eat a modest meal.

It includes eggs, beans, lentils, and some bread. During funerals, it is not customary to eat meat or drink alcohol. Another feature is that the family of the deceased person does not prepare a large funeral meal.