In many cultures around the world, the days at the end of October and beginning of November are considered an important time for honouring the dead in our lives, through ceremony and celebration, and the practical maintenance of family gravesites.
Mountain View Cemetery once again invites the public to remember their dead at the second annual “A Night for All Souls”:
Saturday, October 28, 2006 1 pm – 10 pm
Mountain View Cemetery, north end, Fraser and 33rd
This year’s program has expanded to include an afternoon of preparation, including grave cleaning and decorating from 1 pm – 4 pm. The cemetery registry will be open for people wishing to locate family graves. All are invited to prepare flower garlands for shrines or individual graves, and help create a flower Rangoli of Welcome.
At 6 pm the fires and first candles will be lit to begin the night for all souls. Drawing on diverse cultural influences, including Asian, European and South American, the cemetery will provide public shrines, inviting people who don’t have family graves to remember their dead with flowers, candles, photos and messages, or in their own tradition. There will be demonstrations of the sacred use of joss paper, from Chinese and Vietnamese traditions, and candles are available to those who want to create a personal votive.
Ambient music, including small choirs, violin, sacred chanting and harmonium, will set the tone for this contemplative social event. Refreshments, flowers, candles, and other memorial materials will be available, by donation, throughout the event.
The shrines will be maintained until November 3, when elements that remain will be ceremonially burned and buried at the cemetery. To volunteer, or for more information, please call 604.830.2314 or visit vancouver.ca/allsouls
In consideration of local residents and to contribute to the contemplative spirit of the event, participants are asked to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle or bus to the cemetery. Limited parking is available on 33rd and 41st Avenues, as well as Fraser Street.
For more information:
Glen Hodges, Manager, Mountain View Cemetery, 604.834.3716
