October 20 2022 –
As the sun sets across Mountain View Cemetery on October 26, the first ceremonial candles will illuminate, marking the return of All Souls for its 18th year.
All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery invites community members of all ages to remember their ancestors and loved ones who have recently passed through message writing, candle lighting, and the placement of personal memorials on shrines. All are welcomed, even if their loved ones are not interred at the cemetery.
The shrines will be kept lit throughout the memorial period from October 26 to November 1, during which the cemetery’s contemplative atmosphere will be enhanced with live music in the evenings and weekend afternoons.
With the return of familiar shrines, a special tribute will be made for the plum tree that has held the memorial cradles in the infant burial area.
Attendees are also encouraged to share their own stories and family customs. Returning this year to the Chinese Pavilion, Walter Quan will demonstrate how his family honours ancestors with the burning of incense papers, and Zeelia will share Ukrainian folk songs in a special afternoon offering on October 29 from 1pm to 4pm.
Activities
This year’s main in-person activities include:
Memorial box lantern kits
October 20 to November 1
- Beginning October 20, kits will be available outside the cemetery office to take home and personalize. Place memorials on the shrines at Mountain View Cemetery beginning October 26.
Public shrines
October 26 to November 1
- Light candles, write messages, and leave personal memorials to remember the dead in an atmosphere of contemplative beauty.
Alongside this year’s returning virtual offering:
Online Mourners’ Tea
October 30, noon to 1:30pm
Since the beginning of the pandemic, All Souls activities have transitioned into outdoor and virtual offerings, so participants can feel safe while being together in this welcoming community environment.
Throughout the memorial period, additional musical features and spontaneous events will be announced on Facebook and Instagram.
All Souls history
All Souls at Mountain View emerged out of a collaboration between artists Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto, who came together in 2005 to find artistic ways to honour the dead and provide opportunities for people to share their traditions in a gentle and tranquil atmosphere.
Throughout the years, All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery has been touched, changed, and inspired by the many artists, community participants, and members of the public who have shared their love and regard for their dead.
Find more information about All Souls External website, opens in new tab
Mountain View’s historic role in Vancouver
Mountain View Cemetery, located at Fraser Street and East 39th Avenue, opened in 1886 and is the only cemetery within Vancouver. Owned and operated by the City of Vancouver, the cemetery is an important civic space and provides interment options and event space.
The cemetery is an embodiment of Vancouver’s history, serving as the final resting place of almost 150,000 people, including several past mayors, veterans from world wars, notable citizens such as Vancouver’s first lifeguard Joe Fortes, businessman and activist Yip Sang, and people of varied faiths, ethnicities, ages, and contributions to Vancouver’s past, present, and future.