Remembering Those Who Served

Honoring the Lives that Came before us: Día de Los Muertos By: Jordan Brown Every fall, families come together to celebrate Día de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. This Vibrant holiday, spanning from October 31st to November 2nd, is a time to remember, honor, and celebrate the lives of those who have passed on. While some may view cemeteries as a place of silence. Día de Los Muertos shows us that cemeteries may also be a place of celebration, and connection. Each day during Día de los Muertos, holds a special meaning. The first day is known as Día de los Angelitos. Beginning at midnight on November 1st, it is a day to remember and celebrate children that are deceased. Filled with activities to invite their spirits to visit. Families create altars (ofrendas) with offerings such as photographs, the child’s favorite foods, toys, and sugar skulls. The second day starts the main celebration, also known as Día de los Difuntos. This is a day for remembering and commemorating adult ancestors and friends. The night is filled with laughter and creating memories. The ofrendas take on a more adult theme with items such as Tequila and Mezcal. Families often play games together and reminisce about their loved ones. Starting at noon on November 2nd, is the grand finale and public celebration of Día de los Muertos. People come together in their cities, faces adorned with intricate painting, parades and offerings fill the streets, dancing and celebration can be seen wherever you go. Families decorate their loved ones’ graves with Marigold flowers, gifts, and sugar skulls with their loved ones’ name on them. It’s also customary to clean the gravestone and restore the color. This celebration is proof that love outlasts lifetimes.  Many cemeteries hold celebrations around Bay Area at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill Memorial Park and Skylawn Memorial Park.