The service concludes with the priest spraying the congregation with . Significance of the General Funeral
The priest leads the and the congregation recites Psalm 50 . The service concludes with the priest spraying the
Prophecies and special prayers from the Psalms are read, often including the . These are the "Verses of the Cymbals" chanted
These are the "Verses of the Cymbals" chanted at the beginning of the service while the priest raises incense. A notable verse used is "Kirie Eleyson, Neknai o Panouti" ("Lord have mercy, have mercy on us, O our God"). In 2014, the Holy Synod restored the requirement
The service is characterized by its transition from the celebratory mood of Palm Sunday to the mournful atmosphere of the coming week.
In 2014, the Holy Synod restored the requirement for the General Funeral to be chanted in the mournful (Hazayni) tune rather than the annual tune to reflect the solemnity of the occasion. Liturgical Structure: The sanctuary veil is closed and draped in black .
The rite is a practical solution to the liturgical constraints of Holy Week. By praying over the entire congregation at once, the Church provides a "general" absolution and prayer for anyone who might pass away before the Resurrection (Easter). If someone does depart during these days, their body is brought to the church only for final prayers and litanies, as the incense and specific funeral prayers have already been fulfilled.