What to do for 40 days service?

[curious mike]

Hello all, can anyone tell me two things please. What needs to be done for a deceased for the 40 days service and also when does the counting start, the day after the person has passed or the day after the person is cremated/buried? Thx.

 

[sandman]

That the soul wanders the earth for 40 days after passing is a non-biblical belief.

 

[curious mike]

Yes I am aware of that but what I am asking is what is actually done in those services?

 

[tampasteve]

You may have better luck asking this in either General Theology, Traditional Theology, or St. Basil's Hall, it is not really something done in the Presbyterian church that I am aware of, it is more of an Orthodox practice.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

Morning,
I saw the question while browsing so I don't mean to impose since this the Presbyterian section.

FYI, Eastern Orthodox have a Trisagion or Memorial service at the end of the liturgy on the 40th day after death as well as 6 months, and various yearly anniversaries. This service is also used the night before the burial service. The full service takes about 15 minutes. The 40th day version does not contain the first portion of the service such as the Lord's prayer, since it takes place within the Sunday service. As TampaSteve suggested, come on over to the EO section or Traditional Theology if you have more questions.

Trisagion Service - Liturgical Texts of the Orthodox Church - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

 

[JM]

Yes I am aware of that but what I am asking is what is actually done in those services?

"Strange Fire" is offered to God during the services.