Commemorating All Souls’ Day

Originally posted October 19, 2017 by Funeral Home Staff |

For some it&rsquo;s a birthday, others the date of death, or it can be a holiday or anniversary that brings the loss of a loved one close to mind and heart.

In churches across the country, dearly departed are also commemorated on All Souls&rsquo; Day.

In the Roman Catholic church, some believe that the prayers of the faithful on earth will help move deceased from purgatory to heaven, according to britannica.com . The day is marked annually on Nov. 2 often with a special Mass.

According to U.S. Catholic Magazine , All Souls&rsquo; Day has a long history dating back to the 9th century when it was a custom for monasteries to set aside a day to pray for their dead. In the 11th century, an abbot of the Benedictine monastery established Nov. 2 as the day to commemorate the departed. The day was extended by Pope Benedict XV to the whole Catholic Church in 1915 during World War I.

For those grieving a loved one or those who, even years later, still feel a deep loss for a loved one, All Souls&rsquo; Day offers a special opportunity to remember them and pray for them. Some churches will read the names of parishioners who passed away in the last year and others have candle lighting as a symbol of remembrance.

Knowing how to best celebrate or acknowledge the loss of a loved one can be challenging. Funeral directors are skilled in helping family and friends navigate loss.

The family and staff at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home in Naperville and Overman-Jones Funeral Home in Plainfield can help families plan and shape a funeral service or memorials and other options for honoring the death of a loved one.

For more information, contact Friedrich-Jones Naperville at 630-355-0213 or Plainfield at 815-436-9221 or visit www.friedrichjones.com .