Dumb Supper

There’s no better feeling than spending time in silence honoring your departed ancestors, especially on Samhain, the night when the veil between the worlds is the thinnest. The origins of a “Dumb Supper” have been debated over the years. Some claim it goes back to ancient times, others believe it’s a relatively new idea. Regardless, it’s one that’s observed by many people around the world.

Preparing the Guests

Have your guests prepare a small note to their ancestors ahead of time. (If they need paper, have that ready for them.)
This is a silent ritual. No one may speak from the time they enter the dining room and until after each guest has left the room at the end of the ritual.
No one should eat until all guests are served including spirit.
Each guest will receive a candle. They should stop at the spirit chair and offer their candle at the spirit’s place setting area remembering where their candle is.
If they have any special requirements to let you know ahead of time.
Have guests use the restroom prior to sitting down as you will be casting a circle.
Each guest will eat and when everyone has finished, the guests will bring their notes to their tealight and set them on fire, throw them into the cauldron and return to their seats
Everyone will hold hands and say a final silent prayer to their ancestors.
Once the prayer has ended, each guest will stop at the spirit chair to say goodnight and give thanks to their ancestors.
Everyone will leave the room in silence.

Decorate:

Place your ancestor’s photo on the table or a nearby ancestor altar.
Get creative and conjure up a black mysterious atmosphere! – Use a Black table cloth, Black Plates, Black Candles, Decorate with Skull Candles, Fall Leaves, Gourds, Pumpkins, etc… Celebrate the season with them!
Serve one of your ancestor’s recipes!
Make sure each side of the table has salt, pepper, butter, drinks, napkins, etc… everything they need as they can not speak during the meal.

Prepare the Room

Leave a basket of different colored tealights just outside the door for handing out to the guests.
Set a place at the head of the table to honor deceased loved ones.
Set the Hostess plate directly across from the spirit chair.
Turn off all electronics
Set a place at the head of the table for your Ancestors covering their chair with a black or white cloth and adding a simple tealight candle to their place setting.
Cleanse the room

When you are ready to begin

Cast a circle
Once everyone is seated, join hands and take a moment to silently bless the meal.
The Hostess will then serve the meal in order of age starting with the eldest to the youngest.
When everyone has finished eating

Each guest will eat and when everyone has finished, the guests will bring their notes to their tealight and set them on fire, throw them into the cauldron and return to their seats.
Everyone will hold hands and say a final silent prayer to their ancestors.
The hostess will get up and open the circle in silence.
Each guest will stop at the spirit chair to say goodnight and give thanks to their ancestors.
Everyone will leave the room in silence.