Cultures With Ceremonies to Celebrate Dead Loved Ones
There are a variety of annual ceremonies celebrating and remembering loved ones across various cultures. We’ve compiled a list of some below.
- Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) – This two-day event is a celebration that typically runs in early November in Mexico. Friends and family gather to pay their respects to those who have gone before them. This time is truly a celebration and can even be entertaining as loved ones recall funny memories of those they love. Loved ones will decorate clay skulls called calaveras with brightly colored paints or edible items. They will also take marigolds and decorate altars called ofrendas with all the favorite foods of those who passed away.
- All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day – This celebration began in the 4th century to honor martyrs. However, the Roman Catholic Church as well as Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodists use this tradition to honor the saints of the church. This often falls on October 31 and November 1. These celebrations can include placing flowers on the tombs of those who have passed away, lighting candles in the worship services, prayers, and responsive readings, as well as giving baked goods as gifts to godchildren.
- Qingming Festival – Sometimes referred to as Chinese Memorial Day or Ancestors Day, this festival is held on the 104th day after the winter solstice in China. Typically falling on or around April 5th, this is a time to remember and honor ancestors by visiting their graves to clean them up, pray, and make offerings. This might include of food, burning incense, and paper money, called joss sticks and joss paper.
- Obon Festival – Sometimes just called Bon, the Obon Festival is a Buddhist tradition in Japan that’s been going on for more than 500 years and is typically held in July or August. This custom is a family reunion time where loved ones gather and clean their ancestors’ graves, there is a dance called a Bon Odori, with different dances and music depending on the region.
- Chuseok – This Korean tradition is typically referred to as Korean Thanksgiving. Chuseok normally falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. During this time Koreans return to their hometown to celebrate with their families by giving thanks to women making traditional foods as an offering, as well as memorial services and visiting the graves of their ancestors.
- Pitru Paksha – In the Hindu culture, Pitru Paksha is a 16-day lunar Hindu festival that takes place during the full moon in the month of September. This is when Hindus pay their respects to their ancestors by performing rituals and making offerings of food and other gifts.
- Samhain – In Irish culture, Samhain is a Gaelic festival that begins on October 31. This is a time they use to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away by lighting bonfires, giving blessings and performing rituals, feasting, and remembering those who have gone before.
- Ancestors day in Africa – Falling on the first week of May, many African cultures have an ancestor's day where they remember and honor their ancestors and reflect on their own spirituality.