draillion and death anniversaries

[amityflora]

A hot and activity filled weekend... On Friday E. and I drove to Boston for the anniversary of my grandfather's death. In Vietnam, a death anniversary is celebrated more than a birthday so there was a big gathering and cook-out.. It wasn't a sad thing at all, just a lot of food and an altar where people made offerings to my grandfather and my uncle

Comments

deathday

[birchdryad]

I like the Vietnamese way of celebrating on the day of death. I'll never forget the day my grandfather died, and somehow it seems it would be easier to celebrate his life on that day, than on his birth.
What's the philosophy behind it?
Dralion sounds awesome. I saw some of it on Bravo, I love the little girl!

Re: deathday

[amityflora]

It all ties into ancestor worship and fulfilling your
filial duties. There's a deep wish for Vietnamese to remain highly regarded in the minds and memories of family after they die. Often times since a death is sudden it also allows family members and friends to do right by their relatives by making offerings etc...
Offerings are also made to dead relatives on New Year's and other holidays....