Religious
On 1 November, families across Poland visit the graves of loved ones, bringing flowers and lighting candles. As dusk falls, cemeteries glow with thousands of small lights.
Photo: Ludomił Sawicki / Unsplash
1 November every year
Cemeteries across Poland, from village churchyards to large city cemeteries.
Visit family graves, tidy them, lay flowers, light a candle (znicz) and spend time with relatives.
Wszystkich Świętych: All Saints’ Day
All Saints’ Day, Dzień Wszystkich Świętych, is a Christian feast celebrated on 1 November, and it is a public holiday in Poland. It is followed on 2 November by All Souls’ Day, known as Zaduszki, a day of prayer for those who have died. In Poland, the two days together are one of the most important times of the year for remembering family members.
In the days before, families visit cemeteries to clean and tidy their relatives’ graves. On the day itself, many people travel, sometimes long distances, back to the towns and villages where their parents or grandparents are buried, so the family can visit the graves together. They lay flowers, especially chrysanthemums, light candles in decorative holders called znicze and spend a quiet moment in prayer or reflection. Relatives who have not seen each other for a while greet one another at the graveside. Street vendors near cemetery entrances sell flowers, candles and snacks, and cities often run extra bus lines to the largest cemeteries. In some big cemeteries, visitors also light candles at the graves of national heroes, writers and much-loved public figures. As dusk falls, the candles make whole cemeteries glow red and amber. Customs vary by region and family.
Although it is a solemn day, many families also see it as a warm time to share memories and be together.
Mark the day at home:
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Cemeteries are very busy on 1 November, and roads and public transport are crowded, so allow extra time. Speak quietly, avoid stepping on graves and ask before taking photos of people. Many shops are closed because it is a public holiday.
Candles are a sign of remembrance and of prayer for those who have died. Families light them on the graves of their loved ones.
All Saints’ Day on 1 November honours all saints and is a public holiday. Zaduszki, All Souls’ Day on 2 November, is a day of prayer for the dead and is not a public holiday.
Yes. Cemeteries are open to everyone. Be quiet and respectful, and allow for large crowds.
