KUCHING: A gentle stream of people made their way to cemeteries across the city on Saturday, carrying flowers, candles, and quiet prayers as they remembered their departed loved ones on All Souls’ Day, which actually falls today (November 2, 2025).
Many had chosen to visit earlier in the day to avoid the humid weather or even the day or week before, to avoid the larger crowds expected today.
At the gates of local cemeteries, and roadsides leading to the cemeteries, florists did brisk business selling bouquets of chrysanthemums, daisies, roses, and orchids, their colourful arrangements brightening the solemn atmosphere.
“This is one of our busiest times of the year, people come to pick the best blooms for their families,” said a flower vendor at Mile 7, not far from a Catholic cemetery, arranging a fresh batch of white chrysanthemums.
At St Faith’s Church, Kenyalang Park, here, Canon Bradley Sangan reminded parishioners of the true meaning behind the occasion
“All Souls’ Day is just like any memorial service where we remember our loved ones who have gone before us, but we must also remember that we are not called to pray for the dead, that is a practice we try to avoid, as it has paganistic origins and is not biblical in its teachings,” said Bradley.
Despite differences in belief and practice, the spirit of remembrance remained the same for many, a day to pause, to give thanks and to honour the memories of those who came before.
For Father Ivor Lim, he said death is not the end of everything but that believers have their eternal home with Jesus, the greatest assurance of faith.
“We are reminded that more importance should be given to the living rather than focusing only on those who have died.
“To me, All Souls’ Day is a human and customary tradition to fondly remember our loved ones who have gone before us and still hold a place in our hearts.
“Practically, it serves as a time for families to gather, not just on All Souls’ Day but on any convenient day, to visit burial sites, clean tombstones, lay flowers, and light candles as signs of love and respect.
“It can also be a moment of family fellowship, to reflect on the legacy left by those before us.
“‘Lest We Forget’ remains a humbling reminder for the younger generation not to drift away in their own pursuits, but to value the richer spiritual legacy of faith, keeping their hearts warm in following Jesus, attending church, and living out their Christian calling,” he said.
For Oliver Janting, visiting the resting place of his loved ones, it’s not only on All Souls’ Day, but it could be at any time of the year, and not necessarily on special occasions.
“You can always visit your loved ones’ resting place any day. For me, at any point of time, I am free to go, I will usually take my mom with me, and remember them together.
“I have lost my dad, my two brothers and a grandmother, there’s four in the family, all buried in the same area, and it’s convenient for us to visit,” he said.
For Rajini Ramasamy, she had lost her husband, Nicholas Bawin Anggat, on March 26, 2025.
“Life is different without my best friend, my partner and husband since. I just lost my husband this year, and though the pain of his passing still lingers, I find comfort in knowing he has the blessed assurance of being with God.
“Visiting his grave has become something natural for me, we will clean the grave, bring flowers, light candles, or just a quiet moment to feel close to him and to reflect in peace, knowing his soul is well taken care of,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to be only on All Souls’ Day, I will go whenever I can, sometimes alone and sometimes with my children, each visit reminding us of his love, his faith, and the beautiful memories he left behind.”
A retired matron from Sarawak General Hospital, who is also a leader of the EMAUS Servant Community, Pauline Lim said, offering Mass is crucial for Catholics prior to All Souls’ Day.
“Normally, before the day itself, we clean and maintain the graves, place flowers and light candles, and offer prayers to let the souls rest in peace.
“It’s our way to remember and honour them. The most important part is the prayers, that’s why we have the Mass. This is our way of honouring the dead,” said Lim.
For James Zebedee Empati, a Business Development executive with a cybersecurity company, and having a big family, he usually visits the resting places of his father, both grandparents and a sister, not just on All Souls’ Day but also on their birthdays, a gesture in living up to their memories, he said.
“On All Souls’ Day, we go to the cemetery to pray for our departed loved ones. We clean their graves, put fresh flowers, light candles and spend some time in remembrance of them.
“We pray for them and we honour them. Why we go today (November 1) is mainly because we want to avoid the crowds and the jam on the road,” said James.
As sunset draws near, cemeteries will glow softly with candlelight and the beauty of the flowers, exuding a quiet testament to love that endures beyond time.
