por What is a death anniversary?
The term mournful anniversary It refers to a reminder or commemoration that recalls a sad or devastating episode. It is not a person’s birthday, nor the anniversary of a happy date, but rather the memory of a sensitive event for someone.
The term is widely used in Mexico and Central America, and not so much in the south of the American continent. Its use is not in everyday speech, but rather it is frequently cited in the media.
According to the Royal Spanish Academy, mournful means «sad» and «worthy of crying.» That is why we speak of a mournful anniversary when referring to the memory of a person who has already passed away or who is missing.
This type of ceremony should not be confused with the Day of All the Dead, the Day of the Faithful Difuntos or the All Saints Day, since the mournful anniversaries refer to a particular person or event.
The etymology of mournful indicates that it comes from the Latin luctus, which means «lamentation». Today a mournful anniversary is part of the rites and ceremonies given to the deceased, such as embalming, burial or wake.
The RAE also points out that in Antiquity, «luctuoso» was said of the right charged in some provinces by the prelates (high-ranking members of the Church) when their subjects died.
In those cases, such payment was through a jewel or clothing of the deceased, objects that could be indicated in the will or whatever the beneficiary chose.
How is a mournful anniversary celebrated?
When an event of these characteristics is organized, it is usually because it involves a loved or respected person within the community. In those cases, there is usually a master of ceremony or speaker, who will say a few words about the person to be remembered, and in the case of Catholic worship, a mass may also be celebrated in his memory.
In addition, when it comes to relevant characters within society, the act usually takes place in iconic places of that figure, such as a tribute to a writer organized in a library.
The date of his death may also coincide with the inauguration of a space or the discovery of a bust or plaque, always related to that person. In cases where the honoree is important, relevant local authorities usually attend.
Examples of mourning ceremonies are the act that takes place every September 11 at «Ground Zero» where the Twin Towers of New York, United States, were located, or the tribute that takes place every May 1 at the Morumby Cemetery in San Pablo. , Brazil, where the remains of former F1 driver Ayrton Senna rest.
Although these are events of public knowledge and that shocked a good part of the world, some point out that the performance of mourning rites is declining, due to the fact that there is a great distancing with respect to death, which produces an unresolved penalty that officiates wall against all emotional commitment.
Examples of use of mournful anniversary
«Faithful and relatives gathered to celebrate the 62nd mournful anniversary of the death of the idol of the people.»
«Authorities presented a postage stamp to commemorate the centenary of the passing to immortality of the liberator José de San Martín.»
«They are preparing the ninth anniversary of Bety Cariño’s death.»
«Many admirers gathered at the mourning ceremony that was held in the same place where he died.»
References
mournful anniversary. Recovered from elsoldepuebla.com.mx.
mournful. Recovered from dle.rae.es.