To Kiss or Not to Kiss: A Ukrainian Priest Weighs in on Funeral Traditions

In a small Ukrainian town, a priest addressed the question of whether it is obligatory to kiss the deceased at a funeral. Father Oleksiy Filiuk, a local priest, explained that this tradition is not mandatory and depends on the closeness of the relationship. "It's not an axiom," he stated, emphasizing the importance of respecting individual feelings. He shared his own childhood experience, recalling how his grandmother insisted he kiss a deceased neighbor, leaving him with an unpleasant memory. This highlights the need for sensitivity, especially when involving children. The video, while brief, sparked a discussion on cultural traditions and personal comfort levels surrounding death.