El Día de los Muertos

Celebrated the 2 nd of November of each year in Mexico, Guatemala and other countries in Central America as well as Texas, California and other U.S. states where there is a large Hispanic population. This is NOT celebrated in Spain.

La Historia El Día de los Muertos corresponds with the Catholic celebration of All Soul’s Day. This was an attempt by the Catholic Church to merge indigenous and Catholic holidays.

What is the purpose? It is a time when family members who have died are remembered. The souls are believed to return each year to enjoy the pleasures that they once had in life and spend time with families.

Bright colors! Flower of the Dead Pan de Muerto

“Til Death do Us Part”.

Is it like Halloween? Although it occurs close to our celebration of Halloween, el Día de los Muertos is not similar. It is not a morbid, scary or depressing time Children are not scared by images of death, but they are taught that death is a normal part of life

These women misunderstood the point. The Day of the Dead celebrates the continuing life of our loved ones—not violence or death…

Las Ofrendas Offerings of food and drink are set up in the homes. The favorite food and items of the dead are placed on the ofrendas for the souls to enjoy when they return

Tamales and Mole Traditional food found on las ofrendas

Pan de Muerto “Bread of the Dead”

Copal Incense left at las ofrendas draw in the souls of the dead…

Water and Light There is always a glass of water to purify the souls of the dead and provide them with something for their thirst from a long journey There is always a candle because the souls follow light and scent

Los Angelitos Children who have died return first. Everything on their ofrenda is miniature They have less spicy food, toys, chocolates and atole—a thick corn sweetened drink

En la ofrenda de un angelito…

Cempazuchitl Marigolds are the traditional “flower of the dead.” Their scent is said to draw in the souls of the departed They are found on ofrendas and at the grave sites

Papel Picado Cut paper crafts are used to decorate las ofrendas and the grave sites…

Grave Sites Families clean and decorate the cemeteries At night, they gather to remember the dead and bid the souls farewell for another year They sing songs and tell stories