In some cultures, the deceased are believed to have the ability to shape the circumstances of the living. In these cultures, the descendants of those who have passed away continue to provide for the well-being of their deceased family members through the practice of ancestor veneration. Sometimes, people confuse the concept of ancestor veneration by calling it “ancestor worship”. This is incorrect because cultures that practice ancestor veneration usually separate their acts of caring for deceased ancestors from their acts of worshipping whichever deity they worship. The acts associated with ancestor veneration are generally done out of a sense of duty and respect, whereas deity worship involves reverent love and devotion of a divine being in the hope of receiving favorable treatment or divine guidance.
Ancestor veneration is certainly not a new practice. In fact, some of the most well known examples of ancestor veneration practices come from ancient civilizations in Egypt and Rome. Mummification and pyramid building were ancestor veneration practices. The purpose of mummification was to create a physical place for the soul of the deceased to return to in order to receive the offerings that its descendants had made to it. Pyramids and tombs were the places that souls lived in the afterlife, so they were carefully built and elaborately decorated.
In modern times, ancestor veneration survives as a cultural practice in many places such as Africa, China, Korea, Vietnam, and India. Many families have ancestor altars in their homes. Family members place food, messages, and other items on the altars so that the deceased may receive them. Many times, these acts of giving are an acknowledgement of appreciation for the care that the parents, now deceased, gave to their children so that they might enjoy a good life. People that do not belong to cultures that venerate their ancestors may nonetheless do so, sometimes without even realizing that that is what they are doing. Every time someone decorates a grave with flowers or candles, places a decorated wreath or cross at the scene of a fatal car crash, or attends a memorial service, deceased ancestors are being remembered and honored.
How does your family remember those who have died?