Dia de losMuertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Ahhh… November. One of my favorite months of the year. It contains so many wonderful things; my mother’s birthday, Thanksgiving, and Dia De Los Muertos~

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday with indigenous roots reaching back thousands of years. The celebration takes place on November 1st & 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd). Holiday traditions include building altars to honor the deceased, preparing the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting their graves with these gifts, praying for their welfare and offering remembrance.

Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed. Altar decor includes pictures of deceased relatives and friends, scores of candles and ofrenda (food). Mexican Marigolds, or Flor de Muerto (“Flower of the Dead”) are also in abundance and are thought to attract the souls of the dead to the offerings. Other essential items include candied pumpkin, or pan de muerto, (“bread of the dead”), sugar skulls and beverages such as atole. Traditionally, families spend time around the altar, praying and telling stories of the deceased. In some locations, people wear shells on their clothing so that when they dance, the noise will wake up the dead. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so they can hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. I find this most interesting as I am a huge supporter of remembering our generations that have gone before. (Who doesn’t want to be remembered after they’ve departed?)

This tradition has spread to Brazil, Spain and various regions of Africa and Asia… and yes, even Hollywood. This year, those of us living close to Tinseltown, including myself, Kendell Carter, and his daughter were able to partake in the 12th annual Dia De Los Muertos Festival at the illustrious Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It was a ton of fun. A couple personal highlights were bacon-wrapped hot dogs (made famous on the streets of L.A.) and an impromptu wrestling on the grass. :)