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As we move into the Autumn/Fall period, the yearly opportunity to publicly honor our dead loved ones is upon us. Once again Oak Tree Bereavement Center will put up a traditional Spanish altar within the natural beauty setting of Saint Edmund's Episcopal Church, 1500 Perez Drive in Pacifica (www.saint-edmunds.org).
This is an open altar: you are encouraged to place your offerings in memory of your dead from October 12 through November 2, 2008.
Known as Día de los Difuntos or Día de los Muertos in Spanish, this is a holiday celebrated in many parts of the world, typically on November 1 (All Saints' Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day).
In China these important ceremonies are performed in Spring, Summer, and Autumn on the second, seventh, and tenth moons.
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The elaborate Hindu rituals last for 10 days and begin on the first of the new Autumn moon. All continents report that Autumnal ceremonies occur, in general, for the souls of the dead.
Celebrants approach the Day of the Dead with joy, and, though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day and All Souls Day, the traditional mood is much brighter with emphasis on honoring the lives of the dead, and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new phase in life.
Marigolds will be scattered among the memorial objects on the altar. Please do bring pictures, foods (dried, canned, or bottled preferred), drinks, flowers, objects of any kind that remind you of your dead
loved one.
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On Nov. 2nd from 5:30 to 7p.m., a festive dinner will be offered to all who have placed memorial objects on the altar. This event will take place at Saint Edmund's Episcopal Church, 1500 Perez Drive in Pacifica, and will be hosted by Oak Tree Bereavement Center and church volunteers. Pot luck is welcome. The ceremonial Day of the Dead altar is available to all the people of Pacifica, as is St. Edmund's hospitality.
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