cremation
Greece
Church of Greece Says Will Deny Funeral Services to the Cremated
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece issued a leaflet on Wednesday, in which it expresses its strong opposition to the practice of cremation as "contrary to the Church's principles, traditions and customs."
The leaflet addressed ''To The People''...
Greece
Greek Orthodox Clerics Refuse Burial Services for Cremated Individuals
The Orthodox Metropolis of Thiva and Livadia in central Greece earlier this week denounced cremation and threatened to refuse burial services for those opting for the practice.
According to press release by the Metropolis, "it is unthinkable for conscious Orthodox...
Greece
First Incinerator in Greece Opens 13 Years after Bill Passed
In a matter of days, Greece's first incinerator will start operating in Ritsona, 13 years after the pertinent bill passed in parliament.
The private facility is located in Ritsona, about 70 km from Athens.
"Cremation of the dead is widespread in...
Greece
Greek Parliament Approves Construction of Athens Crematorium
The Greek Parliament has approved a bill which paves the way for the construction of a crematorium in Eleonas, near Athens.
The bill gives the green light to the Municipality of Athens to construct the crematorium at a plot of...
Greece
Greek Authorities Expect Crematorium to Soon Become Reality
Last February Greece made cremation of the dead legal as the Parliament passed a law allowing individuals to make their own choice of burial rites.
The bill came with much opposition from the Orthodox Church and the Holy Synod of...
Greece
Cremation Is Now Legal in Greece
Cremation of the dead is now legal in Greece, despite strong opposition from the Orthodox Church. The law on cremation was officially published in Monday's Government Gazette.
The Church of Greece prohibits cremation. However, the bill that was passed in...
Greece
Greek Church Condemns Cremation
The Greek Orthodox Church believes that the body, as the "temple of the spirit," must be buried whole to make resurrection possible. This is why Greek religious authorities, in spite of the severe problem of space, condemn any plans...
Greece
Athens Opens Way for First Crematorium in Greece
The City of Athens has made a crucial step in opening the way for the establishment of crematoria in Greece by issuing an invitation for bids for a building to house the first crematorium.
The building must be no smaller...
Greece
Environment Minister Signs the OK for Cremation Facilities in Greece
Minister of Environment and Energy Panos Skourletis signed an amendment that opens the way for the establishment of cremation facilities in Greece.
The new amendment puts an end to environmental concerns that were a hurdle to the licensing of cremation...
Diaspora
Shortage of Grave Plots Revives Cremation Controversy in Greece
The shortage of space in graveyards along with burial costs bring back the controversial issue of cremation in Greece.
At the moment, graveyards in Greece's capital and second largest city, Thessaloniki, are overcrowded to the point where a burial is...