The 20th annual Night for All Souls event opened Thursday at Vancouver’s Mountainview Cemetery, giving people the opportunity to walk through the cemetery and view different-themed shrines created by resident artists.
The organizers say the event lets people honour loved ones and find community in mourning.
Paula Jardine, a resident artist and one of the event’s founders, says it was created out of her desire to feel like part of a community after she lost loved ones.
“There’s this big gap between when a person dies and when they’re buried or cremated, and then afterwards, what do you do if you don’t have a strong cultural or religious framework to go through that grief?” Jardine said.
She says some families and schools use the event to introduce the concept of death to children.
“They did their own little ritual at the pet shrine, and it was quite moving to see these children who were being introduced to the idea of remembering the dead with beauty and not fear,” she said.
Jardine says there are a number of shrines, including ones for victims of overdose and suicide.
There is also a designated night for mourners of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Changes are in store, however, and the City of Vancouver says this is the last year the event will be held in its current format.
“After careful reflection and discussion with the founding artists, Mountain View Cemetery has decided to take time in 2025 to review its protocols and approach to supporting sacred, artist-led events at the cemetery,” the city said in a statement to 1130 NewsRadio.
“The impact this review will have on an event next year has not yet been determined. This is a necessary step to ensure that the cemetery remains a space that reflects the rich diversity of Vancouver’s communities and traditions.”
The event continues until Nov. 1.