Etiquette of grief: There are a number of special days of remembrance when a person dies. The funeral/burial day is the third day after death and the family and friends gather at home for a special memorial dinner. On the ninth day after death, the fortieth day, and six months and the anniversary of death every year thereafter, there is a special service at church and a special dinner.

Viewing the Body: If a person dies in the hospital the body is kept for three days and on the third day friends and family can come to a special hall in the hospital morgue for viewing before the funeral service. Sometimes the body is kept at home before the funeral in which case viewing takes place during the entire three days before the service.

Procedures In Case Of Death Outside of a Hospital: It is necessary to have a doctor determine the cause of death. As a rule, the same ambulance which brings the doctor can take the body to the morgue of the "on-duty" hospital, where a pathologist examines the body and perhaps does an autopsy.

Registration of Death Certificates: Births, deaths, weddings and divorces are registered at the ZAGS. See MARRIAGE BUREAU (ZAGS).

Cost of Funerals: The cost of a funeral depends on the cemetery and whether or not the body is cremated or interred in a casket. Minimum cost burial (very simple) is 835,000 rubles (about $143) to 20 million rubles (about $3,450) in April, 1997.

Flowers: Any funeral bouquet should have an even number of flowers.

What to Do: Consulates and Embassies usually offer help in the event of a death in a foreign country. See CONSULATES. For transport of deceased's body, see listings here and MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION BY AIR.