Funeral rite

Although a secular funeral rite has been performed for public figures from the time of the Revolution, efforts to establish it for ordinary Soviet citizens have begun relatively late, that is from the middle sixties to the early seventies onwards. Up to then ritual specialists had shied away from its institution because they realized the great philosophical and organizational problems involved in creating and conducting a secular funeral rite.

Members of the family and friends completed the funeral rite by walking past the grave and, as they made the sign of the cross, sprinkling a handful of dirt on top of the coffin.

Kallirhoe's spectacular testimonial from within the burial chamber gives a unique perspective of the "deceased" woman experiencing her own funeral rites.

During their funeral rite they perform a special dance (called wundr) which is said to stop lions from attacking the herds.

In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.