Roman Catholics traditionally spend the 2nd of November honouring their loved ones who have passed on. It is believed that Christians who have died are in purgatory in preparation for their entry into heaven. In this Memories Timeline, we’ll explore how different people from around the world commemorate the dead.
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Join MemoriesMary Carr In Europe, people flock from different parts of the continent to visit the graves of their dearly departed. They place flowers and light special candles, said to aid their loved ones find the way to everlasting light. In some places, priests would lead prayers and bless the graves.
Mary Carr In the USA, All Saints’ Day is called All Hallows’ Day. The day before, on 31 October, Americans celebrate All Hallows’ Eve, known universally as Halloween. They dress up in costumes, the children go trick or treating, and the young adults typically party. Click here to read the Halloween Timeline: memories.net/timeline/thehistoryofhalloween-30388#.X5Z9W58I-Y5.link
Mary Carr In the Philippines, Filipinos flock to the cemeteries, bringing flowers, candles, and food. They believe that their loved ones who have passed on will be given this chance to visit Earth once more.
Mary Carr Germany has an unusual tradition of hiding their knives away to ensure that the visiting spirits do not injure themselves.
Mary Carr Ecuador celebrates Día de los Difuntos, or Day of the Deceased, with families and friends coming together to remember their loved ones.
Mary Carr In India, they visit the final resting pace of their dearly departed and leave flowers in wreaths and bouquets. They also offer prayers for their loved ones.
Mary Carr Mexico, the 1st & 2nd of November is celebrated as Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. It is a proper celebration filled with colourful costumes, parades, and plenty of food and drinks.
Mary Carr In Hungary, they do not want to disturb the dead. They refrain from washing clothes in case the spirits would stand in the water and stain the clothes. They also refrain from sewing, as they might unintentionally stab the spirits.
Mary Carr Spain celebrates All Souls’ Day with special pastries called “Huesos de Santo”, translated as Bones of the Holy. These are desserts made of marzipan, shaped similarly to bones and marrow.
Mary Carr In Poland, the souls of the dead are led to the homes of their loved ones with candlelights lit all across town. The doors and windows of houses are left open so that they can freely enter the homes.
Mary Carr Due to the circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, many traditional celebrations of All Souls’ Day will not be observed. In place, people are creating timelines of their loved one’s lives in Memories.