Originally posted October 19, 2017 by Funeral Home Staff | For some its 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 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 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 BenedictXV 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 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.