When the veils are thin...Celebrating the Day of the Dead

Honoring Life Through the Lens of Death

Could there be a more perfect time to be focusing on end of life topics than the days leading up to the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) celebrations?

The Sacred Celebration of Día de los Muertos

I thought I’d share a little about why this festival is so important to the Mexican culture...

For one thing, they view death as a unifying experience between all humans (and really, all nature) that isn’t an ending as much as a transition into a new beginning.

They also believe that our ancestors are not dead but very much alive and present in our lives, and deserve to be remembered and adored.

The masks that you see pictured above are individual expressions of “La Catrina,” the immortal icon who represents the duality of life and death, but in a festive mood.

When the Veil is Thin

On the 31st of October, much like other ancient cultures, they believe that the veils are extremely thin, so that is when altars are created with pictures and memorabilia of loved ones on the other side in order to make contact and honor them.

There are parades and competitions for who has the best La Catrina face art and costume.

Today I heard a story about one town that moves into the cemetery for a day of picnicking and fun. The whole idea is that death should enliven us rather than drag us down.

A Healthier Way to Relate to Mortality

I feel so fortunate to be here at this time for I think this is a healthier way to deal with a subject that most would rather avoid.

So, perhaps you could set up a small altar of your departed loved ones and spend a little time honoring their contributions to your life, even if you never met them.

They’re sure to be close at hand this week.