Q about a death in a Greek Orthodox family

[Kim&Chris]

The spouse of a dear friend has passed away and tonight is the viewing.

She is Greek Orthodox.

Here's my question: In the Greek Orthodox religion, is it appropriate to give Mass Cards?

 

[JunieJay]

I've always viewed Mass Cards as something a Catholic gives to someone who dies, regardless of what religion the deceased happens to be. In other words, its more about the giver than the givee....maybe I'm wrong tho. I can't see how anyone would be offended by it tho.

 

[Keli]

What is a mass card?

 

[Kim&Chris]

It's a card given by Catholics letting the family of the deceased know their loved one will me "remembered" and prayed for at a Mass service.

 

[Keli]

It's a card given by Catholics letting the family of the deceased know their loved one will me "remembered" and prayed for at a Mass service.

I thought that might be what they were but wanted to make sure I wasn't mistaking them for something else.
We received those when my dad passed away although my mom isn't catholic (my dad was raised catholic but didn't practice any faith) and I know mom certainly wasn't offended in any way to know that people would be praying for my dad.
But since I wasn't sure what mass cards were you know I don't know if greek orthodox use them, lol.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have never seen one but have seen sympathy cards. My siblings are greek othodox.

Anyone ever hear of the washing of the bones tradition? Now that freaked me out.

 

[RadioNate]

I don't know - the only Greek Orthodox I knew (he has since passed) was a grouchy old man who really had a thing against Catholics. He didn't speak to his daughter for years after she married a Catholic.

My best friend is Western Orthodox and I know his family wouldn't be offended. Nor would any of of the Serbian Orthodox families I know.

 

[bosstoboss]

I'm Greek Orthodox and I don't find a mass card offensive. What the orthodox faith normally do when one has passed is to give a monitary donation to the church they belong to in their name (envelopes are provided for you at the counter in the church) or just send flowers, but as I said before, I have seen mass cards been given and that is also nice, but some orthodox people will not understand what it is....unless it is explained in the card.

 

[bosstoboss]

I don't know - the only Greek Orthodox I knew (he has since passed) was a grouchy old man who really had a thing against Catholics. He didn't speak to his daughter for years after she married a Catholic.

My best friend is Western Orthodox and I know his family wouldn't be offended. Nor would any of of the Serbian Orthodox families I know.

Greek Orthodox people would not be offended either.

 

[ducklite]

Half of DH's family is Catholic and the other half are Russian Orthodox. I highly doubt if the RO's would be offended by a mass card. In general, mass cards specifically state that masses are being said for the soul of the deceased, so I'm sure that the recipient would understand what it was.

I'm not sure that I'd send a mass card to anyone who wasn't Catholic, but I doubt the Greek Orthodox family would find it offensive though.