Day 3 of Dia de Los Muertos - Honoring Forgotten Souls

Written By Pamela Ann Noxon

a Dias de Los Muertos orfrenda honoring loved ones who have passed

The Dias de Los Muertos ‘ofrenda’ is the beautiful, multi colored, altar that holds the candles, the photos [especially the photos], the food and flowers that honor those we have lost. It is said that if one’s photo is not on an ofrenda that we may be lost forever - never honored or remembered. The belief is that by honoring them we keep their spirit alive. But not everyone has someone to remember them.

Our modern Western culture has so many lost souls; the disenfranchised or the houseless, forgotten animals in shelters, Veterans who could not cope after service and drifted away from family and friends; all the souls with no one to remember them. But you can honor them even if you don’t know a name- place a candle, water, food, flowers (traditionally marigolds) on an altar - elaborate or simple - and send your compassion and love out to them.

Perhaps you may be interested in looking at this charity that conducts funerals for indigent veterans who have been forgotten, giving them the respect and honor they deserve at the end. The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program provides free, dignified funeral services in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They may be gone but they should never be forgotten. We are all connected by love and respect. Be kind.

If you’re looking for a family friendly way to learn more about Dias de Los Muertos watch the Pixar movie “Coco”.

Please honor the beautiful traditions of Dias de Los Muertos with the respect due to the Mexican people whose loving hearts created them and keep them alive.

Pamela Ann Noxon

Author, trauma-informed Holistic Grief Educator, Grief Coaching Mentor & Trainer, Inspirational Speaker & Workshop leader, Pamela Ann Noxon offers compassionate and creative ways to help those in loss heal with their grief and stay connected to their loved ones.

After decades of study in trauma, grief, holistic health and wellness, and numerous losses that included her mother, father, close family, dear friends, close colleagues, and beloved pets, she has created a unique protocol, combining the latest grief coaching techniques, with hypnotherapy, art therapy, breathing work, movement therapies, and a deep connection to nature and animals; to create a profound and revolutionary, truly holistic method of helping people navigate their grief well. Her main goal: to train others to be of compassionate, conscious service to those in loss and grief.

Pamela is the force behind all that Mourning Goods brings to our time: purposefully designed condolence products, interactive creative journals, holistic grief books, grief podcasts, coaching, workshops, and programs for the grieving, and support and certification courses for new grief coaches.

https://www.mourninggoods.com
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Day 2 Dias de los Muertos - honoring those who passed suddenly or tragically.