How were indulgences and purgatory tied together

Purchasing indulgences got family out of purgatory.

Indulgences were a piece of paper a person would buy from the Church which would get family out of purgatory. Purgatory is the place between heaven and hell.

Many would spend their last coin on an indulgence to free a family member or themselves from purgatory. It was a money making scheme that would be criticized by Martin Luther.