All Saints' and All Souls' in the Philippines: 8 Things Pinoys Do During Undas

Every year, on November 1 and 2, cemeteries in the Philippines welcome thousands of visitors who commemorate All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, collectively known as Undas. During the Undas season, Pinoys have found many ways to celebrate life and commemorate the passing of their loved ones, and here are some of the most common Undas practices that Pinoys do:

1. Gather for a family reunion

Aside from Christmas, Undas is the other season where Filipino families can have a mini reunion and spend time together. Families flock to cemeteries, and some Filipinos even travel hours to their provinces where their loved ones are buried. Gathering around the tombs of late relatives, they clean and decorate the graves, bring flowers, and remember their loved ones.

2. Do prayer vigils

In a largely Catholic country, Pinoys turn to prayer to commemorate the dead. After everyone has come together around the tombstones, Filipino families light candles and gather for prayer to wish peace and rest for the departed loved ones.

Undas Traditions — Photo from Kimy Moto/Pexels

3. Offer “atang”

Before heading to the cemetery, family members prepare the favorite food of the relatives who passed away, often called “atang.” They lay it out like a feast beside their late loved ones’ graves, believing that their spirits will enjoy the food as well, which brings us to the next point…

4. Enjoy picnics

After offering the atang, families will then dig in and enjoy the food. Most people lay out picnic mats to sit beside the graves. Others even bring tents, tables, and chairs, so every family member can comfortably eat and drink.

During this mini reunion, families usually share stories about their loved ones to remember them. And because it’s also Halloween season, the younger ones also like to scare each other with ghost stories, whether personal experiences or hearsay tales.

6. Sleep in the cemetery

As families enjoy the food and the scary stories, much time would have passed until the night comes. So some people actually spend the entire day in the cemetery, bringing out mats and sleeping bags, so they can camp overnight and spend more time with their departed loved ones.

7. Set up altars

Those who can’t visit the cemeteries often set up altars with pictures and personal belongings of their late relatives. Families light candles in front of the mini altar and say their prayers.

8. Pinoys make offerings

Whether they visit the cemetery or stay at home, Filipino families do not forget to make offerings for their departed loved ones. It can be prayers, food, flowers, candles, or even a eucharistic mass — as long as they can convey their love for their departed family members.