Dia de Muertos is a Mexican celebration on November 2, where people remember their friends and family who passed away by building an altar with an important item from the deceased and spending time on a family reunion.
Altars contain important things from and for the deceased, like foods they use to like or important objects.
It is believed that the dead actually come back to the realm of the living during the celebration. When you take the time to think about them, it shows we didn’t forget them, they’re still alive through the memories.
Jose Gutierrez is a Spanish teacher and the sponsor of Penn’s Latino Student Union.
“I have my my grandpa who passed away He’s the one who got me started on soccer. He taught me how to play and spent time coaching me. He was my first coach, and so to me that’s very special. Through the Día de Muertos, I can remember and honor him,” Gutierrez said.
Some people may consider the tradition scary because of all the skulls, but the meaning is beautiful. Dia de los Muertos is meant to keep the memory of family members, and to share their stories.