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

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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.

 All Souls' Day in Kolkata
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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All Souls Day 2026 in Hyderabad,
A child decorates the grave of a loved one on All Souls' Day in Hyderabad, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A.
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All Souls Day in Hyderabad
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.
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Mass for the dead faithful celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at Verano monumental cemetery in Rome
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
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Day of the Dead offerings at La Llamita cemetery in La Paz
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
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All Saints Day observances in Calderon, Ecuador
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
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 annual Fete Gede festival that celebrates Day of the Dead in Haiti
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
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Day of the Dead at the San Gregorio Atlapulco cemetery
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
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People light candles at a grave during All Saints Day
People light candles at a grave during All Saints Day, at the cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mindaugas Kulbis
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cemetery in Batonyterenye, Hungary, on All Saints Day
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
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Manilas North Cemetery, Philippines as the country observes All Saints Day
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
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Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine
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
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 Day of the Dead celebrations in Sisal, Mexico
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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