As Día de Muertos approaches, I reflect on how the holiday’s customs have evolved from generation to generation. Until a few decades ago, there were no public festivals to commemorate the occasion—no Altar de Muertos exhibitions, contest or Catrina figurines lining the streets. No painted faces, costume parades, or song and dance festivities.

These newer traditions add vibrant, colorful hoopla to the celebration, which resonates with Mexican philosophies that mock death, thumb a nose at the inevitable, and affirm a belief in everlasting life beyond the grave. Yet, none of this detracts from the deeply rooted customs that predate the commercialization of the holiday. There’s comfort in knowing that the most fundamental practices remain alive and well.

In Lake Chapala communities, the heart of Día de Muertos remains a deeply personal communion with the departed, centered around the cemeteries where they were laid to rest.

Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.