For 20 years, the artist-led All Souls event at Mountain View Cemetery has offered people a chance to reflect upon and honour the dead.
Several events take place at Mountain View Cemetery, the only cemetery in Vancouver, over a week at the end of October (and Nov. 1). People will also have the opportunity to visit the cemetery and add to the shrines created for All Souls.
"All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery invites people of all ages to remember their ancestors, family and friends who have passed away," reads a press release from the city.
"Participants can write messages, light candles and place personal memorials on shrines. All are welcome to attend, even if their loved ones are not buried at the cemetery."
Lantern kits are available at the cemetery office for people to take home; the lanterns can be brought back to the cemetery starting Oct. 24.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, a Red Dress Memorial will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
Among the events are a ceremony at a traditional Swedish fire on Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. and a class on Chinese funeral practices at 1 p.m. on Oct. 27.
A closing ceremony will be held Friday, Nov. 1, from 7 to 9 p.m.
This may be the last time All Souls occurs in this format. The protocols for events at Mountain View Cemetery, such as this one, are being reviewed, notes the city.
