@picastoc - I am sure the word 'Halloween' is of Germanic/Dutch/Nordic origin - as the same feast is celebrated in Europe at the same time, but it is definitely a time to visit one's dead relatives, go to a service, bring fresh flowers to the grave etc. - it is the Feast of 'Allerheiligen' and 'Allerseelen' - "all-hallows" (holy surviving in the word 'hallowed ground' - and "Allsouls" is self-explanatory - one day the 1st November) is dedicated to all the saints in heaven who died a Martyr's Death, but not just to them but to all who have not yet been officially recognised by the Church as Martyrs and a special service is celebrated for them and the next day is dedicated to all our loved ones who have departed (All Souls Day).
It just got very mixed up with some heathen practices (of the Old Mexico culture) in the U.S. of A. and now is a Feast of ghoulish merrymaking . . . - and it has proven more attractive than a simple remembrance day and is now making inroads into Europe as well, as all things American do . . .
