Death Anniversary Coming Up

It would be my mom’s first death anniversary next month, and needless to say, since most of my siblings are out of the country, I will be taking charge of the arrangements since my father is preoccupied with someone.  Darn!

Since my mother is Catholic and religious, I thought that it would be appropriate to follow her belief and practices with concern to the remembrance of her death.  This would mean, the usual 9-day novena, then the big feast on the day itself– 27th November– a very important day for me as well as this is the day my children and I had travelled back to the Philippines and this is also the day my only son Ty was born.  He will be 3 on this day too.

The 9 day novena would entail praying for the soul of my mother for a straight 9 days in my house.  I am expected to serve dinner and snacks to anybody who is joining the prayers.  Since 9 days is a long day, I am thinking of buying a pig for slaughtering so we could use the meat for the entire 9 days, including the major day itself.  I would need to prepare a meal plan to avoid mispending and stress during the novena days.  I am also hiring a cook to prepare the food, as well as contacting the prayer leader and the church to schedule a special mass for my mother on the big day.

My younger sister Amy is helping me financially since she is unable to come for the anniversary.  Needless to say, I am thankful that she is able to shell out some cash so there are no hitches on mama’s anniversary.  My sister in law Luchie is helping me with the preparation for the items for the offertory and the reading.

Since everything is on planning stage, I would appreciate any suggestion, feedback and ideas on the novena and celebration of death anniversaries.  A neighbor actually suggested I skip the 9 day novena and then just make the 27th a whole day affair.  What do you think?