if a greek relative is buried without coins in mouth and over eyes, how can you help their spirit move on?

Question

I'm interested as my partner is having difficulty coming to terms with his fathers death, especially as no coins were used in the funeral rite, and he is harbouring a huge guilt from this, i'd really like to be able to support him in the grieving process, but i don't think he can start moving forward while believing his father is between worlds.......any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I think it would be best to consult with an authority on the topic. Mostly what you'll get here are sarcastic or well meaning/uninformed answers.

I'd go to an orthodox Greek priest and ask him. I'm sure there have been orthodox Greek people who have died lost at sea or in some other way where the body could not be recovered. There may be some special rites in cases like those that offset the lack of a formal funeral. And quite possibly, that could be the solution for your husbands father.

Good luck to you and your husband.

Answer 2

I appears that your partner's belief system is pagan in origin. That being the case, I would suggest that he participate in a Samhain Ritual. It is common practice to take three coins from the participants of the Ritual that will be used to pay the Ferryman for the crossing of a loved one who died this year. Hopefully there is a Pagan or Wiccan community in your area that can help you with this. If not...

All is not lost. Your partner can still pay the Ferryman for his father's crossing. It can be done now, or on Samhain, the official date for it. Also, if your partner so desires, he can bring along some of his father's favorite things that can be taken with him on the crossing. Example?

A dear friend of mine lost her husband. She was grief stricken and did not want to wait until Samhain to pay for his crossing. So on an agreed upon evening, my friend plus another friend of ours in common, went to the shores of Lake Ontario and literally did the deed. All of us tossed one coin each into the water plus some special treats for his crossing. Things he enjoyed like Camel cigarettes plus some of his favorite candies.

Now I know this looks completely insane to most but all of us asked for the Ferryman to appear and he did. And once payment was made, all of us, at the exact same time, saw a boat disappear over the horizon. And, as further anecdotal evidence, the weather was nasty - cold and very windy - right up until we made payment. Once payment was completed, everything became calm.

If you cannot find an open Circle in your area, take your partner to some body of water - a river will do - ask for the Ferryman and make payment. This will do both your partner and his father a great service.

Blessed Be.

Answer 3

I don't mean to sound disrespectful or insensitive here but material things cannot and do not go to the "spirit world"
What if someone is buried with coins over their eyes and someone digs them up 100 years later and takes the coins (because they will still be there) what happens to their spirit then??
we don't have to pay to get to the other side-I understand that deep rooted beliefs are hard to shake, especially if he believes that his father believed that strongly- he feels guilty because he thinks he did not honor his father's beliefs.
Did he honor him whil he was alive, is he appreciative of the things his father did for him- does he feel like there are unresolved issues- those are the things he needs to think about and work from there -appreciating his father's life- being able to say thank you for what his dad di do for him and being able to forgive his dad and himself for any unresolved issues, knowing that his dad is now at peace and rest from the trials of this world.

Answer 4

he can move on without the coins.. besides, this custom has been practised by the ancient greeks only. Not by the orthodox..

Answer 5

i agree