Remembrance: Honoring Life and Death

This is by far, my favorite time of year. The summer heat has finally subsided and has given way
to the colorful falling leaves and the freshness of the crisp air. Late October and early November
carry a unique beauty—it’s a season where cultures around the world converge to honor the dead
and reflect on mortality. Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
each bring unique ways to remember the departed, celebrating the eternal bond between the
living and the dead.

Growing up, Halloween was a time to dress up as my favorite hero or a career I aspired to live
into as an adult. I appreciate it’s history, as Halloween’s roots trace back to ancient Celtic
traditions, particularly Samhain, which marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter—a
time when the veil between worlds was believed to thin. People wore costumes to confuse
wandering spirits, and they lit bonfires for protection. Today, Halloween has become a fun,
lighthearted celebration filled with costumes, haunted houses, and a touch of eerie wonder. Still,
underneath the revelry lies a subtle acknowledgment of life’s fragility, reminding us to savor
each moment.

As a person of faith, All Saints’ Day – which is observed on November 1 st or the 1 st Sunday in
November – plays a special role in my life. This is a day where many Christians honor the saints
and martyrs who have come before. Unlike Halloween’s playful spirits, All Saints’ Day is a
solemn reminder of those who devoted their lives to faith and compassion. This day invites us to
consider not only the famed saints but also the “everyday saints” among us—the quiet heroes
who, through acts of love and kindness, embody the light of faith. In remembering them, we
connect with our roots, drawing inspiration from their courage and commitment.

My absolute favorite celebrations originates from Indigenous Mexican traditions, Día de los
Muertos – November 1-2 -and is a joyous, colorful celebration honoring deceased loved ones.
Families gather to create ofrendas – or altars – adorned with photos, marigolds, candles, and food,
inviting the spirits to reunite with the living. In my home every year, we put together an ofrenda
and we share stories of those who have passed – this is an important tradition that keeps the
memories of those who have gone before alove and well within our home. Unlike Halloween’s
ghosts, these spirits are warmly welcomed as cherished guests. Día de los Muertos serves as a
beautiful reminder that death is not an end but part of a continuum, a shared journey with those
who came before.

These traditions—Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and Día de los Muertos—invite us to reflect on
mortality in different ways. While Halloween asks us to confront our fears of the unknown, All
Saints’ Day encourages us to consider the legacy of goodness we can leave behind. Día de los
Muertos reminds us to embrace memory, celebrating life even amid death. Together, these
observances remind us that while death is a part of life, so too is the love, joy, and spirit that
continue on.

In remembering, we carry forward the essence of those who have left us, keeping them alive in
our hearts and stories. Whether through costume and laughter, prayer and gratitude, or colorful ofrendas, these days invite us to honor those we love, embracing a cycle of life and death with
reverence and joy.

I hope you find joy and celebration in the remembrance of this season!