 Borscht is often associated with its role in religious traditions of various denominations ( Eastern Orthodox , Greek and Roman Catholic , and Jewish ) that are common in Eastern Europe . In East Slavic countries , " memorial borscht " is served as the first course at a post @-@ funeral wake . According to a traditional belief , the soul of the departed either feeds on or is carried up to heaven by puffs of steam rising from bowls of borscht and other hot dishes , such as <unk> , porridge , boiled potatoes or freshly baked bread . In the region of Polesye , straddling the Belarusian @-@ Ukrainian border , the same steaming @-@ hot dishes , including borscht , are given as an offering to the souls of deceased ancestors during the annual semi @-@ pagan remembrance ceremony known as <unk> , or Forefathers ' Night . 
