For the Orthodox Christian, all good things have God as their origin and goal. Nothing is outside of God's love and concern. The death of a Christian not only affects the family, but also the entire Church, for we are all part of the Body of Christ. The Orthodox Funeral Service, which expresses this fact, is not to be seen primarily as an opportunity to extol, in a sentimental way, the virtues of an individual. Rather, the various prayers and hymns emphasize the harsh reality of death, as well as the victorious Resurrection of Christ through which the power of death is conquered.
Orthodoxy views the end of physical existence only as the termination of one stage of life.
God's love is stronger than death, and the Resurrection of Christ bears witness to this power. The Orthodox Funeral consists of three Services. First, there is a Vigil Service after death, which is usually conducted at the time of the wake. This service is called the Trisagion Service. While the Church prays for the soul of the deceased, great respect is paid to the body.