MEMORIAL SERVICES GUIDELINES AT ASSUMPTION

Saturdays are the day to remember those who have fallen asleep in the Lord because it is the Sabbath, the day our Lord rested in the grave and completed the work of renewing humanity upon the Cross. Saturdays are a day of expectation and remembrance of the general resurrection that is to come. Sundays are always a feast, a celebration the “Lord’s Day,” the 8th Day, the day of the Kingdom of God having come! We only conduct memorials on Sundays at Assumption to accommodate the faithful.

 WHY SHOULD WE OFFER MEMORIAL SERVICES?

“If you then were raised with the Christ, be seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right of God. Be minding the things above, not the things on the earth. For you died, and your life has been hidden with the Christ in God (Col. 3:1-3).” Christians have been made alive in Christ and through their union with Him, we become partakers of His death and resurrection. It is hope and faith in the Kingdom of God having come that we continue to pray for one another even after death.

 WHEN SHOULD MEMORIALS BE OFFERED?

The first memorial is on the “third day” and is conducted the night before the funeral. The second memorial is on the nearest Sunday, 40 days after death. A third memorial is on the nearest Sunday, at one year. Sometimes, people may also offer a memorial after 9 days but this is optional. 

 ASSUMPTION’S MEMORIAL SCHEDULING POLICY

  • A 40 day or one year memorial can be scheduled on the nearest Sunday by calling the Church office (480) 991-3009. Parishioners can prepared the boiled wheat (koliva) or ask for it to be prepared for their memorial. To host coffee hour after the memorial is subject to availability, we have a food service provider if needed.   

  • The proper day to have a memorial after the first year is on the Saturdays of the Souls. Saturday of the Souls are on three consecutive Saturdays beginning two weeks before Lent and on the Saturday before Pentecost. Parishioners should prepare the koliva, submit the names of beloved family members, and attend these liturgies annually. 

  • For memorials greater than one year, they may be scheduled on the first Sunday of each month.

 CAN A MEMORIAL BE SCHEDULED AFTER THE ACTUAL 40TH DAY of 1 YEAR?

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mk. 2:27)” teaches us that flexibility is permissible to accommodate when a memorial service can be scheduled either before or after the actual day of having fallen asleep.

MEMORIAL RESTRICTIONS

1.   During Great Lent only a 40 day memorial or 1 year memorials are permitted at Assumption because of the Saturday of Souls.

2.   The Feast Days of the Lord, Theophany, Nativity etc.

3.   From Saturday of Lazarus through the Sunday of Thomas

4.      Pentecost Sunday

5.      August 15 – the feast of the Theotokos