Short answer: Practices about when spirits visit their families vary by culture, tradition, and religious belief. There isn’t a single universal day; many traditions designate specific days or periods.

Common themes and examples

• Dia de los Muertos (Mexico and parts of Central America): The living prepare altars (ofrendas) and welcome the spirits of the deceased, with peak activities around All Saints’ Day (Nov 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov 2). Families visit cemeteries and homes to honor departed loved ones during a multi-day celebration.

• Hindu ancestral rites (India and diaspora communities): After death, families perform śrāddha and tarpana at prescribed times, with yearly rituals to honor ancestors and keep them at peace. These rites are conducted on specific dates tied to the deceased’s death anniversary and the lunar calendar.

• General “remembering the dead” practices across cultures: Many cultures hold annual remembrance periods, cemetery visits, offerings, prayers, and feasting tied to autumn or harvest seasons or religious calendars, rather than a single universal day.

How to interpret your question

If asking about a specific culture or religion, the day or period is typically defined by that tradition’s calendar and rites. For example:

• In Dia de los Muertos, families honor departed loved ones from late October through November 2, with heightened visitation on All Saints’ Eve and All Souls’ Day.

• In Hindu practice, remembrance occurs annually on death anniversaries and during related samskaras, not on a single fixed date.

If you’d like, specify a culture, country, or tradition, and the answer can be tailored with precise dates and the rituals involved.