Irish people have a great respect for the dead. During this month of November many will visit a cemetery, say a prayer for a loved one who has died and decorate a grave with a flower or a nightlight. Whether or not one should pray for the dead is one of the great arguments which divide Christians. Any prayer is always good. Praying for those who have died is also a good thing. In prayer we stand in God’s presence and in praying for those who have died we are in some way connected with them. During these early days of November many people embrace this reflective time. Our nearest and dearest who have gone on before us will always have a special place in our hearts. They will never be forgotten.