Gathered in Remembrance of Departed Loved Ones

Once again, this 2nd of November, All Souls’ Day, A. F. Raymond welcomes the gathering in cemeteries to remember the beloved departed in solemn reflection. The commemoration ceremonies will be held at the General Cemetery Borella and the burial grounds in the greater Colombo area. 

In the 10th century the Abbot of Cluny, Saint Odilo dedicated a day to honour the dead and pay respect to them. This day, also known as “Commemoration of the Faithful Departed” is named and celebrated in different ways globally. On “The Day of the Dead” in Mexico they believe the souls return to earth temporarily just for that day, so they gather with food and drink. “Feast for All Souls” in France, Italy, while in Hungary work is forbidden. If it rains on this day in Philippines, they believe the raindrops are tears of the dead. The world over, altars are festooned with flowers and candles for requiem masses and graves visited to place candles and flowers while reflecting on cherished memories.

How this communal tribute in cemeteries began in Sri Lanka is little known. In the mid 70’s, Chairman of A F Raymond during that time Aubrey Raymond, noticed the graves in the General Cemetery Kanatte looked neglected. The graves and the immediate surrounds, some with little borders of flowering plants were unkempt, overgrown with weeds and several tombstones shrouded with undergrowth. This he noted was due to heavy numbers of overseas migration: the Burghers in the 1950s, and an exodus of Sinhalese and Tamils in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The rituals of visiting graves had become a thing of the past. He wanted to create a way of drawing people of all communities and religions back into cemeteries.

Aubrey Raymond decided initially to concentrate on an area he was interested in, overlooked by the church. He asked for permission to use the church from Rev. Frs. John Herat and Bertram Dabrera, the then Parish and Assistant Parish Priest of All Saints Church, Borella. They conceded. He proceeded to install speakers within the grounds wired to a musical setup inside the church. On All Souls’ Day he piped music through the cemetery. His playlist was a combination of calming secular music and hymns, from Danny Boy, Silver Threads Amongst the Gold, Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. The soothing music gently resonating its notes through the whispering of ancient trees and silent tombstones enticed people in. Some just sat listening, the whole day through. The idea originated in Kanatte and proceeded to spread to include Jawatte, Mt Lavinia and Madampitiya burial grounds.

With news of the event spreading through word of mouth, the crowd grew year on year. People of all denominations gathered earnestly at grave sites de-weeding, cleaning and adorning them with flowers and candles. 

With the increase in numbers the arrangements too became grander. The chapel was bedecked florally and brightened by candles, with emphasis on the popular evening service. The repertoire of the music widened including a recording of the leading tenor of that time Rev. Fr. Caver Perera, accompanied by selected musicians and choristers. Then followed a year when the entire chapel was draped in unending rolls of black cloth to resemble the empty tomb of Christ.

The attendance at the cemeteries has grown phenomenally. It is now an established annual communal gathering. An altar will be constructed freshly this year too. Senior church leaders will officiate the multi-lingual service. Trilingual hymn sheets will be distributed and marquees erected for protection from adverse weather.  

This long-standing community project is by A. F. Raymond Ltd, a company established in 1885. The fragrance of flowers, the glow of candles, and the recollections of loved ones gathered around freshly spruced-up gravesites create a heart-warming scene by dusk.

Photo Captions:

Image 1: The late Aubrey V. Raymond, the brains behind All Souls Day Celebrations around Colombo

Image 2: A grave brightened by flowers and candles of remembrance

Image 3: A special altar in remembrance of the victims of the Easter Blast, with a flower for each victim