Eastern Orthodox funeral services in Utah
Greek, Russian, Serbian, Antiochian, Romanian, and other Orthodox churches along the Wasatch Front — the funeral follows the priest.
The day follows your tradition
An Orthodox funeral is the Church praying for the dead: the Trisagion, the funeral service, and burial. Incense, candles, an open casket, and the priest's voice are the shape of the day. Larkin coordinates the care and the schedule so the parish can keep that service intact.
Salt Lake City's Orthodox parishes are smaller than some of their neighbors, and families sometimes worry a funeral home will not know the difference. Tell us which parish. We will take our direction from the priest.
What the parish usually needs from us
We do not invent a shortened version of the funeral. The priest sets the order.
Trisagion and the funeral service
Prayers may begin at the funeral home or at the church the evening before, and the funeral itself is at the parish. We have the body ready when the priest expects, and we do not compress the service to fit a reception.
An open casket, if that is the practice
Orthodox funerals are often with an open casket. In the United States that can mean embalming so family can gather. Whether to embalm is a question for the priest and the family. We wait for that answer.
Burial, not cremation
The Orthodox Church buries the dead. We arrange burial and we do not propose cremation. The committal is at the cemetery, with the priest, after the church.
The memorial days
Parishes remember the dead on the third, ninth, and fortieth days, and on anniversaries. Those prayers belong to the church. If the family also wants a quiet place to gather, we can reserve a room. The mercy meal is the parish's to host.
What we take off the family's list
- A timeline built from the priest's instructions, including the night before if there is a Trisagion at the funeral home.
- Careful preparation for an open casket when that is what the parish expects.
- The drive from the church to the cemetery, without rushing the end of the service.
- A written General Price List before any choices are made, so the family can decide with the priest nearby.
Where the service can be held
The funeral is at your parish. A Trisagion can also be said at our chapel. Burial follows at the cemetery the family and the priest have chosen.
- Downtown Salt Lake City — 260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. (801) 363-5781.
- Larkin Sunset Lawn — 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, with our crematory. (801) 582-1582.
- Larkin Sunset Gardens, Sandy — 1950 E Dimple Dell Rd, Sandy, UT 84092. (801) 571-2771.
- Riverton — 3688 W 12600 S, Riverton, UT 84065. (801) 254-4850.
Questions families ask
Do you coordinate Greek, Russian, or Serbian Orthodox funerals?
Yes. We work with Orthodox parishes in the Salt Lake Valley and northern Utah. The priest leads. We handle preparation, timing, and the cemetery.
Can the Trisagion be at the funeral home?
Yes, if the priest wants it there. Otherwise we bring your loved one to the church.
Is cremation an option?
Orthodox practice is burial. We arrange burial and we do not suggest cremation.
Can you accommodate an open casket?
Yes. Tell us what the priest has asked. We will prepare accordingly, including embalming only if the family and the priest want it.
Other traditions we serve
Tell us what your faith requires.
Call, including in the middle of the night. We will ask what your clergy and your family need, and we will arrange the day around that.