'Day of the Dead' Tradition in Philippines

A doll lies amid human skulls and skeletons inside a common grave at a cemetery in Las Pinas, Metro Manila, on the eve of the All Saints' Day

A doll lies among human skulls and skeletons at this public cemetery in the Philippines which is preparing to mark the Day of the Dead.

All Souls' Day in the Philippines, known as Araw ng mga Patay - and All Saints' Day are the two most important days in the Filipino calender.

Millions will soon flock to graveyards around the country to pay their respects to departed relatives and loved ones over the festival.

Boys walk past unclaimed human skulls and skeletons inside a common grave at a cemetery in Las Pinas, Metro Manila

Families tend to light candles and clean crypts ahead of All Saints' Day celebrations on October 31.

As the largest Catholic nation in Asia, this public holiday allows Filipinos to visit family crypts for overnight and weekend vigils.

Offices and schools close and the usually silent graveyards are transformed into parties with food and music.

More than one million people are buried in the North Manila Cemetery including former presidents, national artists and movie stars.

There are at least 100 burials held here every week.

According to a cemetery worker, the unclaimed skulls and skeletons are placed in a common grave after their 'lease' is finished to make way for more graves.a

Residents visit their departed loved ones at a common grave on the eve of the All Saints' Day, a Roman Catholic feast in the Philippines at a cemetery in Las Pinas, Metro Manila

Children living in the area play tag on top of stacked tombs at a cemetery in Manila, Philippines before All Saints' Day

A Filipino vendor sleeps beside a grave at a public cemetery in Davao, Philippines 

A Filipino man sleeps on top of a grave at a public cemetery in Davao, Philippines. Soon millions of Filipinos will flock to cemeteries around the country

Filipino families can be seen living on top of graves at Manila's North Cemetery in the Philippines

Families light candles and clean the crypts ahead of All Saints' Day celebrations on October 31 in Manila, Philippines

As the largest Catholic nation in Asia this public holiday allows Filipinos to visit the family cemeteries where they light candles

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