CEBU, Philippines - All Saints and All Souls days are observed to remember the glories of Heaven and to pray for our dead loved ones. They are being celebrated in many ways and the most common are the bringing flowers to the cemeteries, praying and spending time cleaning the tombs of our departed kin.
But in some cemeteries in Cebu, the living ones are also given the opportunity to experience how is it to be placed inside a coffin, which is being used in carrying the dead.
At the entrance of the three cemeteries in Minglanilla—Minglanilla Sanctuary Memorial Park, Minglanilla Public Cemetery and Minglanilla Memorial, a pink casket was placed for the people to “look at the other side of the celebration” and for them to feel and experience being inside a casket.
The gimmick, which is part of the promotion of St. Peter’s Memorial Chapel, has drawn a number of cemetery-goers and kibitzers.
Estrellita Retardo, branch manager of St. Peter’s Memorial Chapel-Talisay City branch, admitted that the placing of the pink casket at the entrance of the cemeteries is part of the launching promotion of their life plan. Aside from Cebu, she said they also do the same in selected areas nationwide.
“It is free, they can take a look inside and have a picture of themselves, this is our way of celebrating Halloween, this is something different,” said Retardo, adding the promotional activity was only until 5 p.m. yesterday.
The pink metal casket was placed in a standing position and was left half-open for those who may want to go inside and have their pictures taken.
Retardo said the casket that they used in the activity costs more than P100,000.
Aside from Minglanilla, another casket was also placed near Cebu Memorial Park in Cebu City and in Sibonga Public Cemetery under the supervision of Carcar St. Peter Life Plan and Chapel. — Johanna T. Natavio/WAB (THE FREEMAN)