Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, takes place every year on November 1st and 2nd as a way to honor and connect with those who have died. Day of the Dead originated in Mexico but has grown to be observed throughout Latin America and the United States. There are many traditional ways of observing the holiday, and one that is consistent is the altar.
Altars are created in family homes or community spaces. Each altar is carefully curated, reflective of the relationship between the living and the dead. Usually, they consist of tables adorned with colorful décor, pictures of loved ones, and offerings for them. There are traditional aspects to altars, some elements include:
Pictures The focus of the holiday is to celebrate those who have died, pictures are a physical element to bring loved ones into the present.- Table with multiple levels The levels can signify various stages of life and death. Pictures can be placed on the top-most level, indicating who is being honored. Belongings that represent the loved one(s) can be placed on the altar, as well as offerings.
- Offerings Typically, food and drinks that the person enjoyed, as well as traditional Day of the Dead food items like sugar skulls and pan de muerto (a sweet bread made to look like bones).
- Sugar skulls Although historically made of sugar, modern altars feature sugar skulls of many materials. Decorated in bright colors, they offer a reflection of joy in remembrance.
- Marigold flowers These are used to create an arch behind the altar as well as general adornment. The arch can represent the gate between the world of the living and the afterlife, and marigolds have been believed to attract the souls of the dead.
- Papel picado A banner made of tissue paper, intricately cut into designs and strung around the altar. Papel picado serves as a symbol of the fragility of life.
- Candles Candles are used to symbolically light the way between the living and the dead.
Although there can be many components to an altar, the intention remains the same: to create a connection to loved ones who have died. Day of the Dead is about celebrating that person, remembering their life, what they enjoyed, and bringing them into the present. At The WARM Place, we have offered families the opportunity to participate in a community altar, first at our yearly Camp Remember Me, and now in the house. Frames are provided to participating families, to decorate with messages or symbols of their loved one’s life. We invite the community to find inspiration in the Day of the Dead and bring beauty and joy into their practice of remembrance.
