We are inviting you and your family to come and decorate the cemetery. Don’t forget to bring photos of your loved one!

El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration of those who have passed. Full of bright colors and with many symbolic traditions, the traditions have evolved through a mixture of Indigenous and Spanish Catholic influences to become the celebration that it is today.

The centerpiece of the celebration is the Ofrenda or the altar where pictures of the departed loved ones are placed. Adorning the altar are symbols of life’s elements: earth, air, wind, and fire. Candles are placed to represent fire while banners of perforated paper flutter in the breeze to represent air. Water is placed on the ofrenda and bread is placed as a symbol of earth’s bounty. Ofrendas are then further personalized with important reminders of the departed loved ones to create unique tributes. Celebrated from October 31st through November 2nd, the celebration corresponds to the traditional Christian days of All Hallow’s Eve (Oct. 31st), All Saints Day (Nov. 1st) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2nd). Contrasted to more somber remembrances, the celebrations are full of color, music, laughter, and good food as families gather to remember the memories and life of their departed loved ones.

San Antonio commemorates Dia de los Muertos early with the Muertos Fest and a parade on the Riverwalk as well as ofrendas at the Spanish missions.

MeadowLawn would like to invite you to come place a picture of your loved one on our community ofrenda and decorate your loved one’s grave for Día de los Muertos. Stories of your loved one can be shared with MeadowLawn for our online tributes and remembrances.