MEMOIR: HONORING OUR DECEASED LOVED ONES

PART OF "UNDAS: A HALLOWEEN AND CHALLENGING HORROR AND MYTHS" SERIES

Photo: Balay.ph / Pinterest

Author: Ken Klark L. Flores

Introduction

In this Hallowtide Triduum in the Philippines, most filipinos, particularly in Catholic Backgrounds, visits their grave of their deceased loved ones. Sometimes, they place candles or sharing stories about the life of late loved ones. However, isn't bad to honor our loved ones?

Memorializing and Remembering

The answer is no problem, honoring departed loved ones can be done through creating memorials, sharing stories, supporting their passions, keeping traditions alive, and living a life in their honor. Other methods include writing letters, preserving their belongings, and visiting places that were meaningful to them. The most important aspect is finding a personal and heartfelt way to keep their memory alive and feel their continued presence (Stang, 2024).

Criticism

Various religious views offer different perspectives on honoring the departed, with some traditions having strong criticisms of certain practices. These critiques often arise from concerns over idolatry, misdirected prayers, and the finality of a person's fate after death. 

In our previous article, "BEHIND THE DEFINITIONS: UNDAS AND HALLOWEEN", many protestants, particular in pentecostal, evangelical, and charismatic communities, made view the Halloween as demonic celebration, like In the video post by Charismatic vlogger, which lead many comments would dispute him that halloween is not a demonic celebration, since they adhered to religious view on Halloween.

Attempts to contact or pray to the dead are forbidden in passages like Deuteronomy 18:10–11, which warns against consulting the dead. Some critics argue that asking departed loved ones to intercede is a form of necromancy or spiritualism, diverting devotion away from God. In contrast, Catholics and Orthodox Christians pray for the dead, believing in the purification of souls in purgatory (Catholicism) or the importance of prayer for the departed's final judgment (Orthodoxy). They distinguish asking for intercession from the dead from pagan necromancy, viewing it as a humble request for a loved one to pray on one's behalf to God. (Why Can’t We Communicate with Our Dead Loved Ones?, 2017)

Conclusion

It's better that honor your late loved ones is a way of giving respect. While some may concern that it is secular, it's better seek time for our loved ones to visit their grave, even once a year.

Reference

Stang, H. (2024, November 17). 15 Heartfelt Ways to Honor a Deceased Loved One on Thanksgiving. Mindfulness & Grief Support for Loss with Author Heather Stang. https://heatherstang.com/15-heartfelt-ways-to-honor-a-deceased-loved-one-on-thanksgiving/

Why Can’t We Communicate With Our Dead Loved Ones? (2017, June 26). Saint Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church. https://saintlukeslidell.org/news/why-cant-we-communicate-with-our-dead-loved-ones

Disclaimer 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of any religious organization or denomination. This article is for religious and educational purposes only.

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