Samhain

Dinner with the Dead

So what is a “dinner with the dead”? Simply put, you have dinner with the person as if they are physically there. For example, you can have an empty chair, place something representing them in a chair, or have photos. This is something you can do anywhere you feel comfortable. I have done it at restaurants with a slideshow of pictures playing on a tablet computer I had on the table. Treat them as if they are physically there with you.

I can already think of 4 objections—the first, what if I can’t speak with the dead. Second, I do not believe in an afterlife. Third, what if they have already reincarnated. And fourth, what if I do not want to disturb their well-deserved rest.

Let’s take the second one first. A lot of pagans believe in the Summerlands, but not all do. A belief in the Summerlands is not required to participate in the dinner.

If your loved ones are back, you don’t want to intrude, or you feel you can’t converse with them, you can still participate.

We spend so much time with our loved ones; we come to know how they will react to things we do. We know what they will say. This shows us that a part of them lives on in us. You can commune with this part. You can talk and get a response. This will also strengthen your memory of them, making sure you will remember them longer.

The goal is to feel their warmth and love in our lives again.