Día de Muertos

The true celebration of Dia De Muertos or Hanal Pixan in strict traditional sense is celebrated at home or at Cemeteries in reverence to departed loved ones over a 7-day period.  The entire premise of Dia De Muertos is Remembrance and to invite the departed souls to visit.  An Altar is prepared consisting of candles, cempasuchil (marigolds), baby’s breath, incense of Copal, photos of the departed, salt, water, pan muerto, calaveras, (skulls), crosses, and favorite foods or mementos of the departed.  Altars can be simple or ornate, but each item represents tradition, part of the journey and the personality of the departed.

The Catrina and Catrin that we see today, the female and male skeleton figures first appeared around 1912 in a satirical cartoon mocking the Elite of the period who were trying to emulate European Dress.  Jose Guadalupe Posada created the iconic figure known as La Calavera Garbancera.  

Since then, these figures became associated with Dia de Muertos.  In other parts of Mexico, there are huge celebrations in places like Mexico City and Michoacán as well as other locales where the tradition has taken to the streets.  In some locations the bones of the deceased are removed from their crypt, washed, and placed on display and then returned to rest.

October 27 marks the first day when mascotas (pets) are remembered by placing a bowl of food and water.

On the 28^th, the souls of those who died tragically are remembered. On the 29^th, those who died by drowning.  October 30th is for the forgotten who have no family to remember them.  On October 31 the souls in limbo, children who died before birth or were not baptized.  November 1st marks the day of the Innocents for children who fell younger than 12 years old.  On November 2nd the final day is the major celebration for adults who have died and the day is known as the Dia de Todos Muertos.

If you are interested in setting up an Altar, materials can be found throughout Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

Miguel’s Fiesta in Cancun has banners, figurines, artificial flowers etc

DAC on Constituyentes offers flowers fresh and artificial, pots made of clay, Candles, Copal, and traditional sugar skulls

Supermarkets and local Fruterías have Candles, flowers and herbs.