Halloween is here—a time when neighborhoods transform with spooky decorations, from haunted houses and ghostly figures to skeletons and creepy graveyards. For many, Halloween is all about embracing scares and dark humor before the cheerful holiday season arrives. Yet, one Halloween enthusiast showed that even in a season of frights, there’s room for kindness and empathy.
Salena Webb, a mother of four from South Carolina, is a devoted Halloween fan. Like many, she eagerly decorates her yard each year, creating an elaborate graveyard scene complete with skeletons, spiderwebs, pumpkins, and a witch, along with tombstones and a casket carried by skeletons. Her Halloween display took hours to set up, and she was proud of the spooky, immersive effect it created. But when a neighbor came to her with a personal request, Salena put compassion above Halloween spirit.
In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, Salena shared the moment her neighbor approached her, asking if she would consider adjusting her decorations. The neighbor explained, “Hey, I know you’re celebrating Halloween. My dad just got diagnosed with lung cancer. He thinks the decorations are a bit scary.” Gesturing towards the graveyard, he specifically asked if she could remove the casket. The request was unexpected, and although Salena initially felt disheartened to take down part of her display, she immediately understood the situation. She recognized that for her neighbor’s father, who often sat in his garage facing her yard, seeing the casket every day was a painful reminder of his own health battle.
“I didn’t want to be a reminder of what could happen if he doesn’t beat cancer,” Salena told Insider. “I didn’t want to add stress to someone else’s life.” Without hesitation, she removed the casket and reimagined her skeletons, giving them badminton rackets instead. She also moved some of the scarier decorations to her backyard, creating a more neighbor-friendly display. In her TikTok caption, Salena shared her perspective, writing, “I realized that taking away the casket wouldn’t hurt me, but it might help my neighbor feel better as he deals with this news. Kindness is free, and compassion goes a long way.”
The response online was overwhelmingly positive. People praised Salena’s thoughtfulness, with many commenting that her actions exemplified true neighborly kindness. One user wrote, “Now this is what being a good neighbor is all about. Kindness doesn’t cost anything. Thank you!” Another added, “This was beautifully handled. The world needs more people like you! God bless you!” While some admitted they might not have agreed to change their decorations, the majority were moved by Salena’s empathy and flexibility.
To further express her support, Salena brought a card and balloons to her neighbor’s father after adjusting her decorations. Despite a language barrier between them, Salena could sense his gratitude. He smiled and told her, “You’re good people.”
Salena’s small act of kindness became a heartwarming reminder that even in a season dedicated to spooks and scares, it’s possible to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Her story has inspired thousands of people online, showing that compassion doesn’t have to compete with tradition—it can elevate it. In a time when many are focused on creating the creepiest yard, Salena reminded everyone that sometimes, the best way to celebrate the season is by showing a little extra care for those around us.
