My Ogham have some interesting things to say in this matter. Before I get to that, let me explain where I come from as a former atheist (10 years ago I was atheist) and a current polytheist occultist. Dead people and animals hang out for about 3 days to 2 weeks after they die unless they died under special circumstances such as suicide. Once they've spent the post-death time floating around in their newly-freed etheric body, the etheric body dies and the astral body is guided into the astral plane (same one as dreams) before it too dies and the eternal mental/spirit body is called to go through cyclical stuff before being reincarnated. For instance, my aunt who just died in late October is already gone and I no longer sense her astral and etheric presence like I did around Halloween.
Long story short is that anyone who has been dead for more than a few weeks usually does not care what happens to the remains unless there was magic put in place to preserve them, such as in the Egyptian pyramids. They might say "Hey I am going to care!" while they are still alive but I assure you your parents and grandparents are far too busy doing what is needed in the afterlife to worry about flowers on a grave of their previous incarnation.
My Ogham tend to agree. For your first question, "Should I still order decorations for the graves?" They say No and they give you Luis or Protection ill-dignified, meaning that you are correct in your instinct. It's a waste of money and you'd be far better off not doing it.
For "Is there something else I can do to honor them?" My Ogham say Yes and they give you Eadha or Limits well-dignified. It's a custom in many cultures to honor ancestors once a year, and it's often done on Halloween or even more commonly at the Winter Solstice. Many Native Americans, including Incas, saw the Winter Solstice as the time when the bridge (Milky Way) brought the dead in contact with the living. These are both times when cultures of various stripes believed the world of the dead is the closest to the living. Maybe put out a candle every Halloween and/or Solstice and get out the photo album while making a toast to them to honor their memory. You don't need to make it into a big to-do -- just a simple "Thank you for all we shared together and may you continue on your path with blessings" is good enough, I think.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-11-07 04:19 am (UTC)My Ogham have some interesting things to say in this matter. Before I get to that, let me explain where I come from as a former atheist (10 years ago I was atheist) and a current polytheist occultist. Dead people and animals hang out for about 3 days to 2 weeks after they die unless they died under special circumstances such as suicide. Once they've spent the post-death time floating around in their newly-freed etheric body, the etheric body dies and the astral body is guided into the astral plane (same one as dreams) before it too dies and the eternal mental/spirit body is called to go through cyclical stuff before being reincarnated. For instance, my aunt who just died in late October is already gone and I no longer sense her astral and etheric presence like I did around Halloween.
Long story short is that anyone who has been dead for more than a few weeks usually does not care what happens to the remains unless there was magic put in place to preserve them, such as in the Egyptian pyramids. They might say "Hey I am going to care!" while they are still alive but I assure you your parents and grandparents are far too busy doing what is needed in the afterlife to worry about flowers on a grave of their previous incarnation.
My Ogham tend to agree. For your first question, "Should I still order decorations for the graves?" They say No and they give you Luis or Protection ill-dignified, meaning that you are correct in your instinct. It's a waste of money and you'd be far better off not doing it.
For "Is there something else I can do to honor them?" My Ogham say Yes and they give you Eadha or Limits well-dignified. It's a custom in many cultures to honor ancestors once a year, and it's often done on Halloween or even more commonly at the Winter Solstice. Many Native Americans, including Incas, saw the Winter Solstice as the time when the bridge (Milky Way) brought the dead in contact with the living. These are both times when cultures of various stripes believed the world of the dead is the closest to the living. Maybe put out a candle every Halloween and/or Solstice and get out the photo album while making a toast to them to honor their memory. You don't need to make it into a big to-do -- just a simple "Thank you for all we shared together and may you continue on your path with blessings" is good enough, I think.