Celebrating Life on Día de los Muertos
El funeral es importante, pero no es el final. The goal of healing from grief is never to forget the person who was lost. You will carry a part of them with you always. Whether you’ve lost someone recently or years ago, the bond you share remains.
This is something that Latino people have always understood, and a value which we pass forward to our children and grandchildren: family isn’t just the living, familia lo es todo. Although we remember them daily, we celebrate our departed loved ones each year on Día de los Muertos.
El Día de Muertos es una celebracion muy antigua
The Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead is very old, with roots tracing back to the pre-Columbian traditions of the Aztec people and their beliefs about the afterlife. With the influence of Catholicism, which considers the month of November to be the month of remembrance before the Advent, this holiday became a formal part of our modern culture.
Today’s Día de los Muertos is celebrated over two days, from midnight on November 1 to midnight on November 3. It is a time of music, food, storytelling, and a celebration of life and death for all who have come before. It’s also a testament to the rich history of our culture that has endured and adapted for many centuries.
Celebraciones del Día de los Muertos en Denver
There are several formal Day of the Dead celebrations in Denver, including those put on by CHAC (the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council). Visit their website for this year’s calendar of upcoming events.
Several other museums and art councils in the area hold events, from film viewings, parades, and calaveras competitions to candlelight vigils.
There are also several ways to celebrate on your own:
- Decorate an ofrenda in your home with a loved one’s photograph and their favorite foods and other tokens of remembrance. Many churches and funeral homes will also have an ofrenda you can contribute to at this time.
- Prepare a feast of your loved one's favorite foods, and invite friends and family members to celebrate and share stories and memories. You can also prepare traditional foods like homemade sugar skulls or bake a batch of pan de muerto, or purchase these premade from a Mexican bakery in town.
- Visit the grave of a loved one. Although it’s less common here than in Mexico to spend the night in the cemetery, it’s still normal to see families gathering to eat and light a candle at the grave of a loved one. Be sure to check with the rules of the cemetery in advance to confirm the hours and any limitations on what you’re allowed to bring onto the grounds.
- Attend an All Saints Day Mass or Memorial Mass at your church. Sign your loved one’s name in the Book of the Names of the Dead, and light a candle in their memory.
If you’re looking for more ways to remember a lost loved one this year or aren’t certain what resources are available in Denver, give Latina Funerals & Cremations a call.
As a funeral home serving Denver’s Hispanic community, we are closely connected with local churches, cemeteries, and other organizations that can help you with remembering and honoring your departed loved ones. Visit our community resources page or reach out with questions at 303-996-0701.
Go en paz.
As members of Denver’s Hispanic communities, we feel a deep responsibility to help its families through some of their most difficult days. We are here for you and your loved ones, and our staff is available to answer any questions you may have.
Llámanos al (303) 996-0701.
