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Filipinos may be prohibited to visit the cemetery this Undas until November 4, but there are other ways to remember and honor departed loved ones at home and virtually.

Undas 2020 will be unlike the ones that came before it for sure, as people won't be able to physically visit the grave of their loved ones on the day itself and until November 4.

How to observe Undas this 2020 / Source: pexels

The government ordered for a nationwide closure of cemeteries from October 29 to November 4, in order to prevent crowds from flocking to memorial parks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, during this challenging and unprecedented time, the observance of Undas will certainly be different from what Filipinos have been accustomed to.

Below are seven ways which you and your family can honor and remember your dearly departed during this year's Undas.

1. Schedule an early or late visit to the cemetery.

The obvious workaround for the closure of cemeteries is scheduling an early or late visit to the cemetery. If you choose to do this, just make sure to follow safety protocols during your visit to keep yourself safe from COVID-19.

2. Light a candle and pray at home or virtually.

This Undas, you can still pray for your deceased loved ones at home or virtually. You can simply light candles on your altar at home, pray the rosary with your family, and add a personal prayer for the souls of your departed loved ones.

Or, you can also virtually light a candle and pray for your dearly departed through the Undas Online platform. In the website's 'Light a Candle' page, you can hover the mouse pointer to the big lighted candle on the photo to light the other smaller candles. Then, you can read the prayer below the photo of candles or recite it along with the embedded video on the page.

3. Send a prayer request online.

You can also send prayer requests for your departed loved ones in Undas Online's 'Prayer Request' section. You may also send other types of prayer requests on their website such as thanksgiving and petition prayers.

4. Offer a mass for your departed loved ones.

Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Socrates Villegas wrote in the Pastoral Instructions for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day: “Starting October 7, memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary until November 2, all Masses in the archdiocese will be offered as suffrage for the faithful departed. All green ferial days must be Masses for the Faithful Departed.”

Check with your parish church for the procedure on how to offer a Mass for your dearly departed and find out if they will also stream it online, as some churches will be live streaming some of the Masses this Undas.

5. Virtually visit your loved one's grave.

In Undas Online's website, they have a virtual cemetery section, where they embedded the Google Maps Street View of the Manila North Cemetery. If your loved one's resting place is in another cemetery, you may try to view it virtually on Google Maps and select Street View.

Undas Online's Virtual Cemetery section / Source: Undas Online

6. Offer votive candles and flowers for your dearly departed.

Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Socrates Villegas said that people who wish to offer votive candles may send them to their respective parish office until October 31. These candles will then be gathered and lit by designated lay leaders in the cemetery of the parish.

Another alternative to offering flowers and praying for your dearly departed in their grave is laying the flowers and praying before the image of the dead Christ. According to Archbishop Villegas, the image of the dead Christ will be put out for veneration in the parish church this Undas.

7. Have your dearly departed's cremated remains blessed.

The Manila Cathedral will be celebrating the Rite of Blessing of Cremated Remains after every Mass on November 1 and 2. So, you may bring the urn of your deceased loved one and have them blessed.

The pandemic may have altered the way people celebrate events or observe holidays, but it won't stop Filipinos from finding ways to carry on traditions and celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have passed away.

Just keep in mind, mga Kapuso, that if you're going to a church this Undas, make sure to follow all safety protocols.

Want more lifestyle content like this? Head to GMA's Lifestyle page.

You might also want to read about the resting places of departed celebrities.