Mumbai church discourages flowers and candles for All Souls' Day 2024

In India, November 2 marks All Souls' Day, a day when Christians honor their deceased loved ones. Traditionally, this involves the lighting of candles and placing floral decorations at graves. However, in a shift from tradition, Our Lady of Salvation Church in Mumbai, colloquially known as the Portuguese Church, has urged its parishioners to forgo these customary practices in favor of bringing saplings of trees and plants. This initiative is part of the church's effort to promote environmentally sustainable practices among its members, a concept that originated with the 'Salvation Green Cell' established in 2022. The church's decision focuses on reducing waste, as flowers used for decoration are often discarded the next day. Instead, parishioners are encouraged to plant saplings that can serve both as a tribute and a sustainable remembrance. In addition, the church promotes shroud burials and has implemented a solar power system to lessen its carbon footprint. By choosing plants that can be blessed and taken home, the church aims to create lasting memories of loved ones that align with ecological considerations. Not all church members are supportive of this initiative, reflecting a strong attachment to traditional practices. Some, like Judith Montero, express a desire to continue the custom of floral decorations for their relatives, while others highlight the economic impact on local florists who rely on the All Souls' Day for business. The church is aware of the anticipated resistance and has initiated communal discussions on balancing tradition with environmental consciousness, indicating a potential for dialogue on how best to honor the deceased while preserving the environment.