All Souls’ Day 2026: Meaning, History, Traditions and Prayers
All Souls’ Day is a Christian day of prayer and remembrance for people who have died. It is observed on November 2, the day after All Saints’ Day. Families visit cemeteries, light candles, pray for loved ones and share memories.
| Name | All Souls’ Day |
|---|---|
| When | Every year on November 2 |
| Next date | Monday, November 2, 2026 · in 9 days |
| Type | Religious Holidays |
| Observed in | Worldwide |
| Topic | Religious |
All Souls’ Day at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Also called | The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed |
| Observed by | Catholics, Anglicans and some other Christian churches |
| Comes after | All Saints’ Day (November 1) |
| Common customs | Prayers, Mass, visiting graves, lighting candles, flowers |
How All Souls’ Day Began
Christians have prayed for the dead since the early centuries of the Church. In 998, Saint Odilo, the abbot of Cluny in France, asked his monasteries to pray for all the faithful departed on the day after All Saints’ Day. The custom spread across Europe, and by the 13th century November 2 was widely kept as All Souls’ Day.
👉 Read about the day before: All Saints’ Day: History and Activities
Traditions Around the World
| Country | How people mark the day |
|---|---|
| Mexico | Part of Día de los Muertos, with home altars (ofrendas), marigolds and favourite foods of loved ones |
| Philippines | Families gather at cemeteries, clean graves, light candles and often stay overnight |
| Poland | Cemeteries glow with thousands of candles (znicze) |
| Italy and Spain | Special Masses and visits to family graves with flowers |
| Ireland | Prayers for the dead and quiet family visits to graves |
👉 Also read: Day of the Dead: History and Activities
Ways to Observe the Day
- Attend a Mass or church service for the departed.
- Visit and clean the grave of a loved one.
- Light a candle at home in their memory.
- Write down a favourite memory and share it with family.
- Pray for people who have no one to remember them.
Short All Souls’ Day Prayers and Messages
- Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
- Today we remember with love those who walked before us.
- Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.
- On this All Souls’ Day, may every family find peace and comfort.
- We light a candle for you today, with love and gratitude.
Good to Know
All Souls’ Day is not a public holiday in most countries, but in places such as the Philippines many people take time off to travel home. In several Latin American countries it is closely linked with Day of the Dead celebrations.
When is All Souls’ Day?
All Souls’ Day is observed every year on November 2. Here are the dates for the coming years:
| Year | Date | Day of the week | Countdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 2, 2026 | Monday | in 9 days |
| 2027 | November 2, 2027 | Tuesday | in 374 days |
| 2028 | November 2, 2028 | Thursday | in 740 days |
| 2029 | November 2, 2029 | Friday | in 1105 days |
| 2030 | November 2, 2030 | Saturday | in 1470 days |
| 2031 | November 2, 2031 | Sunday | in 1835 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
It is observed on November 2 each year, the day after All Saints’ Day.
All Saints’ Day honours all saints in heaven, while All Souls’ Day is for praying for all the faithful who have died.
Saint Odilo of Cluny made November 2 a day of prayer for the dead in his monasteries in 998.
They are linked. In Mexico, November 2 is the main day of Día de los Muertos, which mixes Catholic and Indigenous traditions.