in fact, the Day of the Dead is a day of respect, dedicated to families   celebrating the eternal life of the loved ones who passed.

in brazil it is a solemn day in which graves are decorated with flowers, candles are lit and masses are celebrated for all those who have recently passed away since they are still considered members of the church and the deeds done by the living are considered to ease their suffering and speed up their time in purgatory.

Masses in memory of the deceased originated in the fourth century, but it was only the fifth century that the church dedicated a special day to this celebration, and it has been honored ever since.