Once you live Día de los Muertos, you understand its profound meaning.Observed over two days – Nov. Sugar skulls, or calaveras, to add a lighthearted touch, for both the dead and the livingīurning copal as a holdover tradition from the Aztecs, who used the incense as an offering to the Gods Papel picado, which serves as a colorful and meaningful trim in these colors, black representing death, purple meaning grief or mourning, pink for celebration, white symbolizing hope, and yellow representing the sunįour candles at the top, representing the cardinal directions and providing a lighted path to this world The deceased’s favorite personal mementos and favorite foodĬempasúchitl, the Aztec term for “marigold,” which grow and wilt quickly, reflecting the fleeting nature of life Salt, a symbol of purification, for the dead to season the food you’ve offered him or her Pan de muerto, aka “bread of the dead,” a sweet treat found in most panaderias, which is a round loaf that can be topped with a skull and crossbones Here are some ideas for what to use.Ī photograph of your loved one as the centerpieceĪ glass of water to refresh a spirit after his or her journey It’s a very personal and loving experience. You may make it as simple or as elaborate as you’d like. I am happy to share this guide to help everyone build their own altars. Although many look forward to placing a picture of their loved one on our community altar, you can always build an altar in the privacy of your home. It’s a true mosaic of the arts.ĭue to the pandemic this year, our public event is postponed. Legendary artists are invited to play the songs that trigger the heart strings with fond memories, Aztec danza, and a catrina runway show judged by renowned fashion designers or special guests in the fashion industry are only a few of the features of the festivities besides the many national and international artisans who share their family skilled crafts. La Vista is decorated with giant sugar skulls and famous Latin icons known as catrinas throughout the park. Because the spirits are out on a long journey, they are thirsty so there is water, they are hungry so there is food, candles light their way and the burning of incense, known as copal, lures the spirits, drawing them in.
Marigolds have a potent smell to attract the spirit to the altar. Some decorations have a specific meaning. Everyone brings marigolds, candles, pictures and personal mementos as decor. They work together for hours decorating, a true labor of love. Families are welcomed to build an altar as a tribute to their dearly departed. La Vista Memorial Park provides a one-of-a-kind loving experience inside the cemetery grounds that takes on an even greater meaning when shared with family and friends. The day would soon get dark illuminated by the many candles and strong smell of the gold and orange marigolds that decorated the many headstones. It was the perfect time to tell stories and keep their memories alive. The cemetery would have many musical groups like mariachis available to provide a serenade. It became a family reunion where every member brought their chairs and food to share using the decorated headstones as a table. We would go to the cemetery and visit family members who had passed. When I was growing up in Mexico City, Dia de los Muertos was a sacred holiday tradition for me.
I am the director and producer of one of the largest traditional Día de los Muertos celebrations in San Diego County. It’s a celebration to honor the dearly departed based on the belief that during this time the spirits of the departed return to visit the living.
She lives in Bonita.ĭía de los Muertos - Day of the Dead - is rooted in centuries of Aztec culture. McCarthy is executive director at La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary.
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