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Celebrating DeathIt is hard to imagine celebrating death, especially when it is a child’s death. That is just what Rosalinda Fullmer does every year at this time since the death of her eight-year old niece three years ago. “It is the Day of the Dead, El Dia De Los Muertos, said Rosalinda. “It is not a celebration in the traditional sense, but it is a time for family and communities to come together and remember those who’ve died – for me to remember Rosita.” The day of the dead is an annual celebration to honor the spirits of the dead, observed primarily in Mexico and other Latin American countries, but spreading to other parts of the world. For the second year, Yolo Hospice, the Family Resource Center and Community Medical Centers/ Esparto Family Practice are sponsoring a community Day of the Dead celebration at the Next Chapter Bookstore/Libreria in Woodland. A Day of the Dead altar is already in place. Anyone can come in and submit photos of their loved ones to be included on the altar and in the ceremony. Creating an altar is a common practice for Day of the Dead. Altars have statues, photographs and tissue paper decorations on them. The Virgin Mary is usually there in some form and candles are always included. Altars are often decorated with things the deceased loved or with a skeleton doing some favorite activity or trade. Rosalinda has decorated a miniature altar for her niece. “She loved little princess things and to dance,” said Rosalinda. “Her birthday was in November so I’ve put little wrapped presents in it.” A castle set against a blue sky and what were originally Disney princesses populate the miniature altar, but the princesses are skeletons. “The clouds mean she’s in heaven, said Rosalinda. “She has a castle in heaven.” The Day of the Dead has it origins in the pre-Mexican Indian culture, but now contains Mexican and Christian cultural elements. For instance, the day of the dead is observed on November 1 and 2 and coincides with the Christian celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. However, All Saints’ Day, November 1, honors the Christian saints, and All Souls’ Day, November 2, is a holiday of the Roman Catholic Church. For Day of the Dead celebrants, November 1 is reserved for remembering children who have passed and November 2 for adults.
Believers think the spirits of the dead return to commune with the living that’s why offerings are left for the spirits. Offerings can include food such as special loaves of bread called pan de los muertos, or bread of the dead. Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased. In some locations, celebrants wear shells on their clothing so when they dance the dead will wake because of the noise. On November 1 and 2, 2007 individuals and families will gather to say prayers and remember the dead. At 6:30 p.m. on both days, you are invited to join in prayer, readings and song at the Next Chapter Book Store to celebrate the Day of the Dead and your own loved ones. Thursday, November 1, 2007 children will be remembered
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