Colorful paper cutouts called papel picado and pictures frame a familiar space for Marisa Serrato-Gamez (11). In her grandmother’s house, family members share memories and food to honor their late loved ones. This is the scene for Dia de Los Muertos, the day of the dead, a Mexican holiday celebrated on Nov 2.
“The fact that it is always in my Nana’s house makes it very special for us,” Serrato-Gamez said.
Serrato-Gamez celebrates this holiday with her family every year. Traditionally, an altar called an ofrenda is set up in memory of those who have passed. Ofrendas can vary from family to family. Usually they are made up of tiers and set up off of the ground on a shelf or table.
“I would say it’s about the size of a coffee table or a small folding table,” Serrato-Gamez said. “For us the ofrenda is usually two tiers.”
Serrato-Gamez’s family sets up a smaller ofrenda for Dia De Los Muertos most years. They set up a small space with a few traditional items. But about a year ago, when her great grandmother died, her grandmother decided to do a three-tier ofrenda that took up the dining room table.
“She did everything to the tee, just like you’re supposed to,” Serrato-Gamez
When Serrato-Gamez, her mom and little sister helped set up the decorations and traditions for the holiday, it created memories that will stick out to her as long as she celebrates.
“I thought it was really cool,” Serrato-Gamez said. “We had the marigolds, the papel picado, then we brought all the pictures together. We even did it the day we’re supposed to and took it down when we were supposed to.”
The celebration of Serrato-Gamez’s great grandmother was still held in her grandma’s house, a comfortable space for her and her family. Dia de Los Muertos has its own way of bringing people together that humanizes grief for families like hers.
“Mourning is obviously a big part of this, but I think the celebration of their life is something that doesn’t happen as often,” Serrato-Gamez said. “It’s not even just a cultural thing. Celebrating your loved ones that have passed away is something that needs to be embraced by everyone.”
As the co-president of LSU (Latinx Student Union), Serrato-Gamez worked to bring the holiday to ELHS. Along with the other students in LSU, she put together an ofrenda in the school honoring the loved ones of the students in the club. Beyond that, she envisions an ofrenda that any and every student could contribute to for years in the future.
“I think it would be very cool to have an ofrenda in the school for everyone to put pictures of their family,” Serrato-Gamez said. “I think it’s really important to have this space where people could go and celebrate more than just their own loved ones.”
Both inside and outside of school, the day of the dead is held very dearly to Serrato-Gamez. It is an important part of her culture.
“Dia de Los Muertos is really important to me,” Serrato-Gamez said. “It’s just a very beautiful celebration.”
