What's Up With Totenfest?

Throughout Christian history, the church has and continues to remember and celebrate the lives of faithful people who have died. It is believed this is a direct connection to the afterlife and making it real for the faithful who live. Totenfest is a distinctive practice that grows out of the Evangelical pietistic tradition of the United Church of Christ. Although the name Totenfest is unknown to many in the UCC, its importance as a special time of remembrance continues not only in our Evangelical heritage, but for all. It is a way of remaining related to deceased loved ones, as the process of grieving and remembering are vital to our spiritual health and reuniting with the spirits of our loved ones.