Expert: Alex Anatole - 8/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Alex,
Please can you explain the significance of the 40 day memorial service after someones death?

ANSWER: Tim,

In the Scriptures, 40 is used as a symbolic number.  It is the number which represents a long period of time during which something of great significance is accomplished.  In the time of Noah, God caused a great flood by making it to rain for 40 days and 40 nights.  After leaving Egypt, the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  After being Baptized, Christ fasted for 40 days.

According to Orthodox custom, a woman is excused from attending public worship for 40 days after giving birth.

Thus it is that 40 days signals the end of a period of mourning, and we mark the occasion by remembering our departed and praying God for their souls.

Customs vary.  But in the Russian tradition, memorial prayers are said on the 1st, 3rd, 9th, 40th, and on every anniversary of of a family member's death.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Alex,

Ok that makes sense. Within 40 days,what happen to the soul of the departed? is it the time when the soul is sort of 'judged' and on the 40h dayt itself, decided upon which direction the soul will go?

Answer
Tim,

We have almost no clue what happens after we die.  We pray for our departed because we love them - not because we understand in any detail what they are going through or how our prayers affect them.

The exact details are in God's hands.  We just pray.