Living With the Dead on Day of the Dead in Mexico

While North America Celebrates Halloween with costumes and candy, antiquated traditions in Mexico call for reunions of families and their dead loved ones. During three days, October 31st, November 1st & 2nd, explicit rites are practiced faithfully. They occur in cemeteries and in their homes, amid flower bouquets, banquets of bread and ghostly candies adorned with skulls. The candies are called Muertos (the dead) and are looked upon as supernatural guardians. It is said that when the dead visit, they also enjoy their favorite food and drinks called "ofrendas," lavishly laid out on the alters or shrines made for them.

In the days leading to the festivities, families begin collecting special dishes and treats in which the departed spirits liked the most when they were alive. They use the best chocolate for the 'mole', fresh eggs and flower for the baked bread called 'Pan De Muerto,' fruits, vegetables and even cigarettes for those who smoked. Votive candles are left with the flame on day and night, which illuminate the decorative flowers 'Flor de Muertos' (flower of the dead,) which adorn the alters and graves. Skeletons carved from wood and dressed for a party appear at every corner, ready to celebrate.

Some villagers have been celebrating three thousand years of Mexican History on this day, "Dia De Los Muertos." There is a melancholy sound that fills the squares and streets. The Day of the dead is a spiritual, intense vigil connecting the souls of the living and the dead. The most authentic all night vigils are held in the state of Michoacan where the celebration turns into a fiesta with endless camera flashes clicking away.

The 1st is to mourn the children and the 2nd is for the mourning of adults. All of Mexico gears up for these festivities. In the village of Patzcuaro, the people spend the whole year preparing crafts and goods to sell during the celebration.

Death and dying, like living, are family affairs. What we euphemistically refer to as "the remains," lie in state in the house of the bereaved family member house for several days. Traditionally, the gravestone is erected about a week after burial and it is not until this ceremony that closure is achieve, but even this is not "adios," only "hasta el dia": El Di de Los Muertos, The Day Of The Dead.

There are many traditional rituals in Mexico with the Day Of The Dead being one of the favorites.