Honoring the Dearly Departed: Remembering Loved Ones on Dia de Los Muertos

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In Latin cultures and primarily in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos means an occasion especially dedicated to remembering our loved ones and honoring our dearly departed. Celebrations are held at homes and gatherings organized at cemeteries. In preparation for the two-night Holiday, gravesites are meticulously cleaned and beautifully decorated, all in memorial of those who have passed away.  

Graves in the old cemetery in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico, decorated for the the Día de los Muertos festival. (Photographer’s Note: graves are decorated with flowers, fruit, candles, the deceased’s favorite food, and other perishable items, taken down immediately after the holiday period as temporary structures meant to honor the dead. photo: istock )

Brightly colored flowers and fragrant orange marigolds are brought in to heavily decorate, as it is believed marigolds attract the spirits home with their bold orange color and fragrance. Candles are lit, and stories are told to remember and honor the memory of ancestors and the dearly departed.

It’s a bit hard to explain, especially since this is so culturally different from how we as Americans think about cemeteries… especially around Halloween! See examples of Dia de los Muertos cemetery celebrations below and just how beautiful they are.

San Andrés Mixquic, Mexico – November 2012: Annual commemorations known as “La Alumbrada” during the day of the dead (día de muertos) at the Church of San Andres Apostol.
Cemetery in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico– November 1, 2018: People holding vigils at the graves of relatives as part of the celebration of the Día de los Muertos. Graves are cleaned, decorated with flowers (typically featuring marigolds), skulls, candles, and often with the deceased’s favorite food and liquor. This annual holiday is celebrated extensively in southern Mexico with face painting, costumes, parades, dancing, altars, and graveside vigils. Celebration of the Día de los Muertos has been adopted in many other parts of the world.

Remember… Celebration of Dia de los Muertos or “Day of the Dead” is not linked to a cult, or the occult. It is a Catholic Christian ritual intermixed with Latin folk culture. It is not a sad ritual- it’s a day of happiness, a day of remembering our loved ones. The Day of the Dead doesn’t honor death itself, but memories of our relatives who have passed away… Celebrating Dia de los Muertos is about Love!  (text adjusted from inside-mexico.com)

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