PETALING JAYA: Graves were swept clean. Fresh flowers, candles and incense were then placed as families gathered at cemeteries to mark All Souls’ Day.
Known in the Roman Catholic Church as the “Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed”, All Souls’ Day is an annual observance dedicated to remembering and praying for departed loved ones. It is observed annually on Nov 2.
Although mainly observed by Catholics, many other Christian denominations also mark the solemn occasion.
Devotees light candles as a symbol of their prayers, say the rosary and pray for their dearly departed as well as all who have passed.
Among those at the Kampung Tunku Christian Cemetery here was 43-year-old Maria Gerardine, who was accompanied by her four children and mother.
She said she visited the graves of about five family members, including her father, every year.
“As his birthday was on Sunday, we also sang Happy Birthday to him,” she said.
Gerardine said bringing her children is important to help them understand the occasion and to know about their family history.
“Hopefully, they will continue the tradition with their own children one day,” she said.
For retired educator Dr Helen Nair Bonney, 83, the annual visit to the cemetery is to honour her parents and husband, who died two years ago.
She came with her sisters and a domestic helper who is close to the family, spending the morning cleaning the graves, placing flowers and offering prayers.
Bonney said it is important to preserve the practice, with younger family members increasingly moving away from home.
"Many have moved abroad, and there is always the concern that these practices could slowly fade.
"By gathering here, we pay tribute to our loved ones and thank them for the blessings they brought into our lives.
“As Catholics, we believe in praying for the souls of the departed and trust that they will eventually be united with the Lord,” she said.
For 77-year-old businessman Francis Danker, visiting the cemetery is more than an annual observance – he comes almost every fortnightly to place fresh flowers and offer prayers on the graves of about 10 family members who include his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
“It’s just something I do because I was so close to them,” he added.
Despite the passing of time, Danker said the memory of his late mother remains deeply entrenched in his thoughts.
Secretary Celine DeCruz,70, still made time to visit the cemetery with her sister and husband although she had to work.
She came to pay respects to her parents, sister-in-law, and brother and sister.
Rev Father Leonard Lexson, who was among the priests blessing the graves, reminded the faithful that All Souls’ Day is an occasion grounded in hope.
“Our life is fragile and temporary, but we do not grieve without hope.
“We grieve the physical absence of our loved ones, but we do so knowing they have returned to God,” he said.
He advised parents to bring their children along to ensure the observance gets preserved.
“If parents do not instill this tradition in their children, death becomes numb to them and they risk losing a profound connection to their roots,” he said.
