What happens when we die? That is a huge question that no one really has the answer for. Every religion has an idea, science really has no idea. Here is an article with some references to books that try to explain with science what a soul is. Most believe that there is a soul (60% of Americans) and that the soul when we die moves onto another plane of existence. No matter what we believe it is hard to argue against remembering our family and loved ones that no longer exist here on earth. One amazing way that the dead are honored in Mexico on November 1 and 2 is through Day of the Dead.
Day of the Dead is a holiday that honors the dead, with altars to the dead, favorite food of the dead, dressing up to honor the dead. It is important to celebrate lives well lived and the impact the lives made on us. We have the Aztecs to thank for the tradition of the Day of the Dead. This is one tradition that survived the conquest and destruction of the Aztec nation. The forced conversion to Christianity of the survivors could not stop the Aztecs from honoring their dead in their way.
The Aztecs had some traditions and religious practices that were awful, (human sacrifices immediately comes to mind), but I do not think the answer to life lies in subjugation destruction and forced conversion of nations.
Let the human race learn from the Aztecs. We should understand that the dead are still with us in spirit and memory. It is believed that the Aztecs understood that the dead lived on in the afterlife with us as hummingbirds and butterflies. I like this idea not because I like butterflies and humming birds which I do but because, the dead are still here and we can still care for the dead by caring for and being good conservators of earth.
Help yourself and help the dead by taking care of the earth.
The Corrigan Encore 