	New Zealand Day of the Dead A family memorial and celebration of living!
On All Hallows Eve (Hallow meaning holy or sacred) the Celts lit fires outside to keep the spirits from their homes, and wore costumes and masks for disguise. They left out food for the dead and feasted on the fruits of the harvest, and danced around the bonfires all night. They then took home a burning branch from the fire to light the home fire for extra protection. When Christians arrived in Britain, several hundred years later, they believed the Pagan festivals were evil. Attempts were made to prohibit such activities in the hope of wiping them out entirely, but the old traditions held fast, their belief in the patterns of life and death too strong. So the church staged a spectacularly successful takeover bid - sometimes described as a spiritual hijacking - by attributing Christian meanings to the Celtic festivals; the Midwinter Solstice became the birth of Christ; Easter (or Oestre, meaning "egg") became the rebirth of Christ, and All Hallow's Day became All Saint's Day, set aside to honour the Christian Saints. In Mexico, where the Day of the Dead is most celebrated, it is a time of great joy and family reunion, not morbid grief and loss. Families create small altars or shrines to welcome their dead loved ones home. They serve the deceased's favourite foods and drinks; they may place the deceased's old clothes on the shrine so they feel welcome and comfortable; they visit the graveyard and tidy up the grave, weeding and repairing damaged headstones; and they celebrate the lives of those they have loved and lost by partying all night long! The New Zealand Day of the Dead is on the first Sunday in November each year. In 2005 it falls on 6th November. According to various cultures, this is the time of year when the souls of the dead return to the living world, or when the veil between the worlds is at it's weakest.	New Zealand Day of the Dead An enjoyable way to contemplate our mortality is to celebrate the New Zealand Day of the Dead. Held in spring, as celebrating life is so much easier when new life is springing up all around and the days are growing warmer and longer, it is an occasion to remember loved ones who have died. It is also an opportunity to emotionally prepare for death within the security of your family circle. Here are some suggestions of ways to celebrate it: Light a candle and talk about family members and friends who have died. Celebrate with a family meal at which people discuss and share their wishes for their life and death, including funeral arrangements. Write stories about the life of someone you have loved and lost. If everyone in your family, or circle of friends, adds a story every year, over time a biography will be compiled as a personal memorial. Plant a tree. Forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, or apologise to someone you may have wronged. Update or revise your will. Answer children's questions about death in such a way as to take adult fear out of it. Appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney. Tell your loved ones that that's what they are. Choose a conservation project to get involved in; donate to an environmental organisation that you support, clean up a beach, clear old man's beard from nearby bush... Visit a funeral home and ask the difficult questions. Find a way to make a positive difference to your world. Set a goal to achieve within the next year. Reflect on the events, achievements and blessings of the past year. Change the batteries in your smoke alarm. Learn more about the flora and fauna of your area. Why is it there? (Why isn't it there?) Check with your local council if any of their burial/cremation regulations or prices have changed in the past year. Build a bird bath or pond to attract wildlife to your garden (if you don't have a cat nearby). Have a medical check-up. Ask your local hospice or resthome if there is anyone who gets no visitors, and visit them, often. (Only do this if you genuinely care and are committed to keeping it up.) Create a memorial garden. Thank the people you share your life with for being there.
Make it a regular date with those you love. You will learn much about them, and vice versa. And the bonds of your personal community will strengthen.
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New Zealand Day of the Dead

A family memorial and
celebration of living!

On All Hallows Eve (Hallow meaning holy or sacred) the Celts lit fires outside to keep the spirits from their homes, and wore costumes and masks for disguise. They left out food for the dead and feasted on the fruits of the harvest, and danced around the bonfires all night. They then took home a burning branch from the fire to light the home fire for extra protection.

When Christians arrived in Britain, several hundred years later, they believed the Pagan festivals were evil. Attempts were made to prohibit such activities in the hope of wiping them out entirely, but the old traditions held fast, their belief in the patterns of life and death too strong.

So the church staged a spectacularly successful takeover bid - sometimes described as a spiritual hijacking - by attributing Christian meanings to the Celtic festivals; the Midwinter Solstice became the birth of Christ; Easter (or Oestre, meaning "egg") became the rebirth of Christ, and All Hallow's Day became All Saint's Day, set aside to honour the Christian Saints.

In Mexico, where the Day of the Dead is most celebrated, it is a time of great joy and family reunion, not morbid grief and loss. Families create small altars or shrines to welcome their dead loved ones home. They serve the deceased's favourite foods and drinks; they may place the deceased's old clothes on the shrine so they feel welcome and comfortable; they visit the graveyard and tidy up the grave, weeding and repairing damaged headstones; and they celebrate the lives of those they have loved and lost by partying all night long!

The New Zealand Day of the Dead is on the first Sunday in November each year. In 2005 it falls on 6th November. According to various cultures, this is the time of year when the souls of the dead return to the living world, or when the veil between the worlds is at it's weakest.