Dia de Muertos: Honoring Our Ancestors with Love and Respect
- Maestra Grace
- Oct 10, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
A Sacred Tradition
Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a beautiful way to honor our ancestors. As this special time approaches, I feel compelled to share my reflections on this deeply meaningful tradition. Increasingly, people from various backgrounds and cultures are embracing Dia de Muertos. They find a heart-home within this ritual, allowing them to honor their loved ones who have crossed over.
"When you have two centuries of people who have not properly grieved the things that they have lost, the grief shows up as ghosts that inhabit their grandchildren." These "ghosts" can also manifest as disease in the form of tumors, which the Maya refer to as "solidified tears," or in the form of behavioral issues and depression. He goes on to show how this collective, unexpressed energy is the long-held grief of our ancestors manifesting itself, and the work that can be done to liberate this energy so we can heal from the trauma of loss, war, and suffering." —Martin Prechtel
While I cherish the opportunity to share this beautiful ritual, it is essential to approach Dia de Muertos with respect and reverence. This celebration is not Halloween; it is a sacred remembrance of the joys and sorrows of our ancestors. It also honors the determination and strength of their descendants to preserve this pre-European contact tradition.
Historical Context
The observance of Dia de Muertos occurs on November 1 and 2. This timing is a result of the Spanish invasion, forced conversion to Christianity, and ongoing colonization of what is now Mexico. The celebration has merged with Catholic traditions, specifically All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
November 1 is dedicated to honoring children and infants, known as Día de Los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels). November 2 honors adults and is referred to as Día de Muertos.
Indigenous peoples in Mexico and other countries, where Indigenous territories extend beyond contemporary borders, have celebrated these traditions for over 3,000 years. In 2003, UNESCO recognized Mexico’s Dia de Muertos as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Pre-Colonial Celebrations
Before the Spanish invasion, these holy days were celebrated in what corresponds to today's August or September. The Mexika (Aztec) celebrated for an entire month. The first half was known as Miccailhuitontli, the feast for deceased children, while the latter half was Huey Miccailhuitontli, or the Feast for the Greatly Revered Deceased (adults). Some believe these festivities were dedicated to Mictecacihuatl, the "Lady of the Dead," who corresponds to the modern-day Catrina. This iconic character was created in 1910 by the famous Mexican printmaker and illustrator José Guadalupe Posada. Although it is possible that Mictlancihuatl inspired him, the true origins remain a mystery. La Catrina has her own fascinating story as a truth-teller and social justice warrior.
Regional Variations
There are regional differences in how Dia de Muertos is celebrated. Each family's religion or tribe-specific history influences their customs. For example, the Yaqui begin their Animam Mikwame, Dia de Muertos observances, on October 1st.
In my circle of family, friends, and community, we prepare for weeks to properly host our relatives who have walked on before us: our tatas, nanas, tias, tios, and other loved ones. They will return to visit us during Dia de Muertos. They'll knock at midnight, gaze at their photos on our altar, and smell the aroma of their favorite foods. A pathway of brilliant flowers will guide them to our home, where they continue to live in our hearts.
Creating Ofrendas
We build ofrendas (altars) to honor their memory, both at home and sometimes in public places. Some altares are simple, while others are elaborate. Often, we hold vigils at the cemetery, lovingly cleaning headstones, placing candles and bouquets of cempaxochitl (marigolds) on graves, and, for infants and children, leaving toys. We set out plates with Pan de Muerto, tamales, drinks, and incense burners filled with copal. It is not uncommon for us to take lawn chairs to the cemetery and sit there for hours, even all night, recounting favorite anecdotes and memories of special days with our grandparents and parents. We might hire a small Norteño or mariachi group to play our beloveds' favorite songs. It is both a sad and joyful time as we pray, sing, and reminisce.
Respecting the Tradition
As you begin your preparations, I encourage you to source your Day of the Dead items from Mexican artists, bakers, and artisans. If you are responsible for organizing a Dia de Muertos educational program or special event, please consult with and employ Mexican or Indigenous people. It is vital to engage those who are part of our culture and community. Consider giving back to our community in tangible ways as a way of showing appreciation for sharing our culture, food, music, and spiritual traditions.
In the coming days, I will post photographs, videos, and articles on Mexican Dia de Muertos on my Curanderismo, the Healing Art of Mexico Facebook page. I hope that what I share helps you prepare to celebrate the lives of your loved ones while respectfully preserving and honoring this important tradition. Dia de Muertos is a religious and cultural legacy of the ancestors of Mexica, Maya, Tlaxcaltec, Chichimec, and other Native peoples of what is today known as Mexico, as well as Indigenous traditional territories that may overlap with adjoining countries.
A Call for Respect
I ask that you remember that Mexican Dia de Muertos is a culture-specific religious observance. While other countries, such as China, Ireland, and Britain, may have similar customs, these observances do not share the same origin or unique expression as ours.
Using elements of this cultural-spiritual ritual outside of its intended context can be considered disrespectful, especially when done by someone who is not a member of the Mexican and Mexican-Indigenous community.
You love Dia de Muertos because it is ancient and special.
When changes are made arbitrarily to a tradition, or worse, it is misappropriated, those changes begin to erode its power and beauty. The same power and beauty that first drew you to it. Let us work together to keep Dia de Muertos special. Help protect this sacred observance.
Honor this beautiful tradition and our Ancestors by being a good ally. Support the Mexican and Indigenous community by encouraging respect for Dia de Muertos. Buy from Mexican and Indigenous craftspeople, artisans, and bakers. Support us when we request that cemetery owners change their policies to allow us to follow traditional ways of celebrating the memories of our loved ones, including spending the night at the cemetery in prayer and song.
I encourage you to empower yourself by researching your family stories and delving more deeply into the origins and history of Dia de Muertos.
¡Que vivan nuestros santos difuntos!
Note: As neither forthcoming posts on this topic nor this one are meant to be scholarly articles, please understand that not every detail or aspect is addressed. I encourage you to empower yourself by researching your family stories and delving more deeply into the origins and history of Dia de Muertos.
Additional Resources
How to Make a Dia de Los Muertos Altar, Mija Chronicles
Dia de Muertos ofrenda items at Mexican Sugar Skull (Selected because they work with Mexican and Mexican Indigenous craftspeople)
El Altar de Muertos y su Significado por Cultura y Delicias Prehispánicas, https://deliciasprehispanicas.com/…/el-altar-de-muertos-y-…/
Altar de Muertos Las Manos del Artesano La Jolla YouTube video
Day of the Dead, Part I: Honoring the Departed, Celebrating Life, in Mexico
What is the proper terminology for Dia de los Muertos?
Photographs by Grace Sesma, 2015 Dia de Muertos in Cancun with Council of Mayan Elders.