Since the faithful won't be able to visit their departed loved ones on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day to stem the spread of COVID-19, the Diocese of Malolos in Bulacan said parishes may put up a memorial wall outside the church where people can light a candle and offer prayers in front of the picture of their deceased.
"The idea is to place a simulated wall outside the church where people can place a photo of the deceased. Beforehand, the names of the deceased are enrolled in the parish, so that the office can allot a space for the picture," guidelines for the celebration of Undas 2020 released by the diocese and approved by its bishop Dennis Villarojo said.
"There will also be a candle holder where people can light their candle. On All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, people may offer short prayers in front of the picture of their deceased," it added.
It stressed that health protocols will still be observed with the help of the parish Health and Sanitation Ministry or some barangay police.
The diocese said parishes may also have a "tumba" or catafalque by having a small table, covered by a violet or black cloth with the crucifix on the top and two candles at the front or on the table to represent the deceased.
"Names of the deceased written in white small envelope in a box may be placed under the table. At the end of the Mass, the priest may go where the tumba is located, make a short prayer for the deceased, and incense the crucifix."
The diocese said at 8 p.m., church bells may be rung, traditionally called "animas," and pray the rosary or pray for the dead.
At home, the diocese said, families may be encouraged to put up an altar placing a crucifix, statues of saints, the picture of the beloved departed, and two candles on it, decorated by the children, where the members of the family can gather to remember and to pray for the deceased.
"Even when the present circumstances do not permit us to do what we have been used to and what has been part of the tradition, we can be ingenious so as to show that death does not cut the tie that binds us to our beloved deceased through our Lord Jesus Christ," it said.
In the guidelines, the diocese said additional Masses on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day may be celebrated to enable more people to participate and multiple intentions, especially intention for the dead are permitted.