Happy Halloween!
So, this Down the Rabbit Hole post is a little different in that I didn’t fall down it researching a book.
Not that long ago, my family went through a time when we lost one of our family members every year. As you can imagine, it was hard. It also made me realize that we (my family) didn’t really have a tradition where we remembered those that had gone before. That there were members of my family that my daughter would never have a chance to meet.
I guess I wasn’t surprised to find that there are more than a few cultures that have days specifically set aside to honor the dead. Often they fall during those transitional times of the year, Spring and Autumn, when the world is moving from the season of life to the season of death, or back again. (Which seems fitting, don’t you think?) Sometimes they are simple family affairs, though some are elaborate festivals celebrated by the whole community. But as different as they all seemed to be, there were many aspects that they shared. Lighting candles or fires and leaving food out for the dead are two of the most common. Another is visiting and cleaning family member’s graves.
Reading about these traditions, I found a great deal of inspiration. My family has come up with our own tradition for remembering those we have lost. Or in my daughter’s case, those she never even had a chance to meet. This time of year we take the time to visit and clean the graves of those family members nearest us. We also set out pictures and photo albums and go through them, remembering all the people who, for good or ill, made us who we are.
Do you or your family have similar traditions? Or do you have something completely different that you do to remember the dead? If so, I would love to hear about them. Below are some (but not all) of the links I found during this little journey down the rabbit hole. If you have any links that you think I might find interesting, then please share them in the comments below. I will happily lose myself down them as well.
A quick note – I am not affiliated with any of the sites whose links I have shared below. I make no money if you click on them, and any of the ads or opinions seen there do not necessarily reflect my own opinions or suggestions.
Around the world in 10 Day of the Dead celebrations
Festivals of the dead from around the world
5 Festivals That Celebrate the Dead Around the World
It took MONTHS to achieve this level of decoration for Halloween. 😀
Idyll Dreams & Nonsensical Things 