Dia de los Muertos in Pátzcuaro, Mexico

   My husband and I visited the town of Pátzcuaro in the state of Michoacán for its Day of the Dead celebration, one of the best known in Mexico.  The source for this holiday dates back over a thousand years in indigenous culture and honors the spirits of deceased ancestors, family, and friends.

   While the holiday is officially celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, preparations are made far in advance.  Many homes and businesses create private altars with offerings including flowers, candles, fruit, pan de muerto (sweet bread), and drinks (I noticed that beer and soda is popular) for the weary spirits.  

   In cemeteries, several days before, graves are cleaned and decorated with all the favorite things of the departed loved one. There can be photos, toys, special food dishes, religious icons--any personal remembrances.  Several things that are guaranteed to be there--MANY candles and flowers!!  The primary flower used is the orange-yellow marigold, there are thousands and thousands of these blooms all over.  A major symbol of the holiday is the skull and its shape can be found in dolls (Catrinas), candy (sugar skulls), bread, masks, and just about anything else.

   On the night of November 1st, friends and family gather at the gravesite.  There may be picnics, music playing, and stories being told.  This will last all night.  Hopefully, spirits will join in as well.  

   Visitors, like us, that come by are welcomed and sometimes offered food and anecdotes of the family's dead ancestor.  Rather than sadness, the deceased person's life is celebrated with appreciation and respect.  The local people's celebration contains a ritual aspect and spirituality that I find touching and soulful.

This altar is in a private home

This altar and its ofrendas (offerings) is in the entrance of our hotel, La Casa Encantada, which is a wonderful place and a perfect location for all festivities.  See below for link:

http://lacasaencantada.com/suites.php

Local businesses in town also create altars - a couple of large Catrinas in this one

A VERY large Catrina (loosely translated as 'female dandy')

Decorating a wooden arch for the entrance to the pier at Lake Pátzcuaro

The completed arch being erected

Decorated gravesites on the evening of November 1st

An elaborate gravesite and memorial

This cross is filled with fruit and pan de muerto (sweet bread)

Another highly decorated gravesite

Wooden arches decorated with marigolds are typical decorations

The life of a small child is remembered and celebrated

This family shared food with us.  We learned that this woman's husband, now deceased, refused to eat well and take care of himself!  A lesson for all.