Grief as a Community Bridge During Día de Los Muertos Event in Siskiyou County

Siskiyou X Days, a program of the Siskiyou County Arts Council, helped to support a community Día de los Muertos gathering in Siskiyou last Friday that featured face painting, sugar skull decorating, food, a community ofrenda and music. Attendees participated in the crafts and cultures but also made time to reflect on their loved ones who have passed, bringing along pictures of their departed. Día de los Muertos is a three-day annual celebration, starting on Oct. 31 and running through Nov. 2. Those who celebrate Muertos don’t see death as a reason for grief. Instead, they view it as a natural stage in the continuous cycle of life. The departed, they believe, remain part of the community and are kept alive through memory and spirit. During the holiday, they are believed to return to Earth for a brief time to be with their loved ones. Often celebrated in churches or in the comfort of one’s home, Muertos is traditionally a small family affair.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.