- Día de los Muertos (Mexico): This vibrant Mexican holiday honours deceased loved ones with altars (ofrendas) decorated with photos, food, and marigolds. Families gather to celebrate, remembering and inviting the spirits of the deceased to join them in joyous festivities.
- All Saints’ Day (Christianity): Celebrated by various Christian denominations, All Saints’ Day honours all saints, known and unknown. It involves special church services, prayers, and remembrance of the faithful who have passed away.
- Samhain (Celtic Traditions): Originating from ancient Celtic festivals marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, the modern Samhain is celebrated, mainly in the USA, as a time when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest. It involves bonfires, feasting, and rituals to honour ancestors.
- All Hallows’ Day (Western Christianity): The day following Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve) is a time to reflect on saints and martyrs. It is often observed with prayers and church services, commemorating those who have led virtuous lives.
- Sundown Festivals (Jewish Tradition): In some Jewish communities, November 1 can coincide with observances that honour the deceased, such as Yahrzeit, where families light candles and recite prayers to remember loved ones who have passed.
- The Festival of Skulls (Guatemala): During this time, families remember their deceased by creating and decorating sugar skulls. They decorate graves and host picnics in cemeteries, celebrating the lives of their loved ones.
- Celebration of Ancestors (China): In some regions, families honour their ancestors by visiting graves, offering food, and burning incense. This act of veneration is rooted in the belief that ancestors watch over their descendants.
- Día de Todos los Santos (Spain): Similar to All Saints’ Day, this day in Spain involves visiting cemeteries to honour deceased family members. People often bring flowers, especially chrysanthemums, and hold family gatherings to remember those who have passed.
- Feast of All Saints (Philippines): Known locally as “Undas,” people flock to cemeteries to pay respects to the dead. Families clean and decorate graves, offer prayers, and share food in the spirit of remembrance.
