Holar Farms, Saskatchewan

St. Demetrius is an active parish, with Mass every month and special services on Christmas and Easter. Adalice and Edward Pidperyhora, parishioners of St. Demetrius Church, who shared their memories, also described the local funeral service which retains some old features.
According to the couple, the body is taken to the funeral home and prepared, as is done in most areas. On the night before the funeral, there are prayers in the church. The family stays with the body for a while, and then goes home. The burial service takes place the next morning. Before burial, an old practice is enacted and the body is driven through the yard of the person’s home. Sometimes the family will place objects into the casket. For example, there was one man who liked to give out gum to everyone and so the family placed gum in his casket. After the service inside the church, the pallbearers carry the casket to the grave. There, another small service takes place. The family places flowers on the casket and one of the flower wreaths is taken apart and distributed to family and friends so that they can take home a flower for remembrance. The priest seals the casket with his cross, and uses a shovel to make the sign of the cross with dirt on the casket. Sometimes the family will throw dirt into the grave as well. After burial, a wake takes place in the church hall.

Adalice and Edward Pidperyhora with Natalie Kononenko; St. Demetrius Church.