Dia de los Muertos
The Day of Honoring Our Loved Ones who have passed
Human beings have a biological need for rituals, traditions, and habits that honor how we organize our world and the universe. Rituals link us to the past and help us cope, connect us to those things greater than us, heal our lives, celebrate or raise up life’s major changes and turning points and allow us to examine all that they hold dear for us, move emotions, gather to find strength with others, find some meaning, and some peace. Rituals are a way to create sacred energetic boundaries within the universe. It’s a space you own and space you control with your spirit mind your heart and your presence. The term “ritual” sounds like an elaborate [or religious] task but can actually be quite personal, simple, and natural to be effective.
Traditions like the Dias de Los Muertos ofrenda [altar] bring the ritual of connection into your daily life, help keep you connected to the love, and the essence of your loved one. In a way it keeps the best parts of them alive and connected to you.
An important aspect to all cultures’ rituals of connection with the dead is a generositiy of spirit- sharing food with beggars, offering sustenance and love and connection. When we connect we become bigger than ourselves and maybe just a little bit less alone. Be kind. Be respectful. Live your best life with honor given to those who are no longer with us in the physical. And always stay connected to the love.
Ways to Honor our Loved Ones who have passed:
The ofrenda or home altar
Create any size or style of your own ‘ofrenda’, or home altar, for those who have passed. Put it in a place where you can honor and connect with them easily, tell them about your day, talk to them, and include them in your life.
Some basic altar elements:
a photograph of Loved Ones [human and pet]
candles
a vase with fresh flowers
perhaps some food
little mementos and keepsakes
special crystals
little talismans
any jewelry or keepsakes of theirs
items or images of things that they really loved
photos of places that they loved
photos of people they loved or would want to watch over
Other ways to honor Loved Ones:
Adopt a pet to create more life and love in the world.
Create a garden as a space to celebrate them, meditate, and connect with them.
Do a neighborhood library box or bench with at their favorite spot with their story posted.
Plant a tree - in a park with a plaque or just go to Nature Conservancy and plant a whole bunch of trees.
Name a star after them Star Registration.
Perform Random Acts of Kindness in their name; like paying for school lunches, or giving gifts, or donating to charities.
Name a child, pet, or building after them and share with everyone the story of your Loved One.
Start a legacy for them; a scholarship, a regular table at a local restaurant with free food for people down on their luck, anything that fits who the were and what mattered to them.
Donate to charities that they would have appreciated [animal rescues, children’s charities, military families, etc.].
Spend time with someone they loved on a regular basis and share stories about them to keep their light going.
Have annual Birthday [or Thanoversary - the day they passed] parties [or any day that feels right] to celebrate them every year in a way that honors the best of them.
Create your own Book of Stories to gather happy or meaningful stories and pictures of a Loved One at any gathering. This can become a lovely new tradition: people take turns reading out loud from the story book each holiday or anniversary as you all add to it, to create a living project that celebrates their life. These stories can be passed down to future generations so they can know the love that came before them.
