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Day of the Dead: How Families Honour Their Departed Loved Ones With Candles, Flowers And Prayers

Day of the Dead, is rooted in Indigenous traditions and Catholic influences, the festival celebrates the belief that the spirits of the departed return to reunite with their families.

Nuns of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, light candles at the graves of their loved ones on All Souls' Day in Kolkata, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Bikas Das
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A child decorates the grave of a loved one on All Souls' Day in Hyderabad, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
A child decorates the grave of a loved one on All Souls' Day in Hyderabad, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A.
A woman lights a candle at the grave of a deceased relative during All Souls Day in Hyderabad, India, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
A woman lights a candle at the grave of a deceased relative during All Souls Day in Hyderabad, India, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A.
People attend the Mass for the dead faithful celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at Verano monumental cemetery in Rome on All Souls' Day, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
People attend the Mass for the dead faithful celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at Verano monumental cemetery in Rome on All Souls' Day, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
A family adds traditional t'anta wawa bread to a grave decorated with Day of the Dead offerings at La Llamita cemetery in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
A family adds traditional t'anta wawa bread to a grave decorated with Day of the Dead offerings at La Llamita cemetery in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Juan Karita
Catholic faithfuls participate in a candlelight procession to a cemetery during All Saints' Day observances in Calderon, Ecuador, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
Catholic faithfuls participate in a candlelight procession to a cemetery during All Saints' Day observances in Calderon, Ecuador, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
A person believed to be possessed with the Gede spirit is doused with white powder during the annual Fete Gede festival that celebrates Day of the Dead, honoring the Haitian spirits Baron Samedi and Gede, in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
A person believed to be possessed with the Gede spirit is doused with white powder during the annual Fete Gede festival that celebrates Day of the Dead, honoring the Haitian spirits Baron Samedi and Gede, in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Odelyn Joseph
Families gather at a tomb to be with their dearly departed on Day of the Dead at the San Gregorio Atlapulco cemetery on the outskirts of Mexico City, late Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
Families gather at a tomb to be with their dearly departed on Day of the Dead at the San Gregorio Atlapulco cemetery on the outskirts of Mexico City, late Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo
People light candles at a grave during All Saints Day, at the cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
People light candles at a grave during All Saints Day, at the cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mindaugas Kulbis
This picture, taken by a drone shows the Kisterenye cemetery in Batonyterenye, Hungary, on All Saints' Day, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
This picture, taken by a drone shows the Kisterenye cemetery in Batonyterenye, Hungary, on All Saints' Day, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: Peter Komka/MTI via AP
A man visits his departed at apartment-type tombs at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the country observes All Saints' Day on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
A man visits his departed at apartment-type tombs at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the country observes All Saints' Day on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Relatives light candles and bring flowers and flags at the graves of the Ukrainian soldiers who died in the war with Russia on the Mars Field at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026.
Relatives light candles and bring flowers and flags at the graves of the Ukrainian soldiers who died in the war with Russia on the Mars Field at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mykola Tys
Boats decorated as floating altars participate in a procession during Day of the Dead celebrations in Sisal, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.
Boats decorated as floating altars participate in a procession during Day of the Dead celebrations in Sisal, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. | Photo: AP/Martin Zetina
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All Saints Day Day Of The Dead All Souls Day
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