Manila North Cemetery gears up for massive Undas 2026 influx

MANILA — The Manila North Cemetery commenced its Undas preparations as early as Monday, October 26, readying facilities and grounds for the anticipated surge in visitors during the coming weeks. Cemetery director Daniel Tan noted that preparations are well underway to accommodate the expected flow of devotees.

Undas, the Filipino term for the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day observance falling on November 1 and 2, draws millions of Filipinos annually to cemeteries nationwide to honor and remember deceased loved ones. The Manila North Cemetery, one of the country's largest burial grounds, typically experiences significant congestion during the period as families visit gravesites.

According to Tan, approximately 2 million people are projected to visit the cemetery during the Undas season. The early start to preparations reflects the scale of the undertaking required to manage such a massive volume of visitors across the sprawling cemetery grounds.

Cemetery officials typically enhance sanitation services, increase security presence, and improve traffic flow management during Undas to ensure visitor safety and facilitate smooth operations. The advance notice from cemetery management allows families time to plan their visits and cemetery staff to finalize logistical arrangements for the busy period ahead.