Celebrating Dia de los Muertos

Embracing Diversity and Death Positivity

At Goes Funeral Care, we are committed to providing compassionate and supportive end-of-life services that honor the diverse cultures and traditions of our community. And, as part of our ongoing efforts to promote death positivity and celebrate cultural diversity, we invite you to join us at the Museo de las Tres Colonias for their Dia de los Muertos movie night.

Date: Saturday, October 28th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: 425 10th St, Fort Collins

Event Highlights

• Screening of “The Book of Life”: A visually stunning animated film that beautifully captures the essence of Dia de los Muertos and its colorful traditions.
• Pan Dulce: Indulge in the delightful flavors of pan dulce. This is a sweet bread that is a traditional treat during Dia de los Muertos.
• Kids Activities: Bring your little ones starting at 6:00 PM to enjoy fun and engaging activities designed just for them.
• Community Ofrendas: Explore and admire the ofrendas, or altars, created by members of the community to honor their loved ones. These ofrendas are adorned with vibrant marigold flowers, candles, incense, and an array of offerings.
• Giveaways: Get a chance to win exciting giveaways and prizes during the event.
• Refreshments: Enjoy refreshments and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow attendees.

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant and colorful Mexican holiday. It has deep roots in indigenous traditions and spans over 3,000 years. This multi-day celebration typically takes place from October 31st to November 2nd. This coincides with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. However, Dia de los Muertos is not a somber occasion but rather a joyous and festive one that celebrates the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

Key Elements of Dia de Muertos

• Ofrendas (Altars): Families create ofrendas, or altars, adorned with vibrant marigold flowers, candles, incense, and an array of offerings. These offerings often include the favorite foods, beverages, and mementos of the departed.
• Calacas and Calaveras: Calacas are colorful skeleton figurines, and calaveras are sugar skulls intricately decorated with bright icing. These symbols are ubiquitous during the observance and represent the playful and humorous attitude towards death.
• Pan de Muerto: A sweet bread shaped like a skull or bones, pan de muerto, is a special treat made during the holiday. It’s often placed on ofrendas and shared among family and friends.
• Marigolds: Vibrant orange marigold flowers, known as cempasúchil or flor de muerto, are believed to guide the spirits of the deceased back to the world of the living with their vibrant color and strong scent.
• Visits to Cemeteries: Families visit the gravesites of their loved ones, bringing offerings and spending time in reflection and celebration.

The Importance of Understanding Day of the Dead

1. Embracing Death Positivity: Dia de los Muertos exemplifies the concept of death positivity. This encourages open conversations about death and the celebration of life. By participating in this tradition, regardless of your cultural background, you can gain a deeper understanding of how different cultures view and celebrate death.
2. Honoring Loved Ones: Dia de los Muertos offers a beautiful way to remember and honor deceased loved ones. It serves as a reminder that the bonds we share with those who have passed away are enduring and should be celebrated with joy, not just mourned with sorrow.
3. Fostering Cultural Awareness: Learning about and participating in Dia de los Muertos is an excellent way to broaden your cultural awareness and appreciation. It allows you to connect with the rich heritage of Mexican culture. It also provides an opportunity to gain insights into the values and traditions that shape it.
4. Strengthening Communities: This celebration brings communities together. Families and friends unite to create ofrendas, share stories, and support each other through the process of remembering and celebrating those who have passed away. By joining in, you become part of a broader, inclusive community.
5. Encouraging Compassion: Dia de los Muertos encourages empathy and compassion for those who have experienced loss. Understanding the customs and rituals associated with the holiday can help you support grieving friends and neighbors in a more meaningful way.

Participating in Dia de los Muertos doesn’t require a specific cultural background.

Here are some ways you can engage with and respect this beautiful tradition:

• Learn: Take the time to educate yourself about the history and significance of the day. Read books, watch documentaries, or attend cultural events that explain its customs and symbolism.
• Create an Ofrenda: You can create a small ofrenda in your home to remember and honor your own deceased loved ones or simply to participate in the spirit of the celebration.
• Respect Traditions: If you visit cemeteries or attend celebrations, be respectful of the customs and practices of those who are observing Dia de los Muertos.
• Share Stories: Encourage open conversations about memories and stories of loved ones who have passed away. Sharing these narratives keeps their legacy alive.

At Goes Funeral Care, we believe that understanding and participating in Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful way to embrace death positivity and celebrate the diversity of our community. We are proud to sponsor this Movie Night. It is part of our commitment to honoring cultural traditions and fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this vibrant and meaningful holiday. Together, we can learn, grow, and support one another in the spirit of Dia de los Muertos.