This year, Karla Frey faced challenges while completing her annual “ofrenda” in her Boucherville, Quebec residence. Two months ago, her young neighbor and his mother tragically lost their lives in a car accident. Frey vividly recalls the boy’s visits each year, showing interest in her “ofrenda” – a sacred altar she has been crafting for 15 years to honor departed loved ones. Despite the heavy heart from the mother and son’s passing, Frey persevered and meticulously arranged the altar with picture frames, candles, symbolic bread known as “pan de muerto,” colorful decorations, mezcal, tequila, and Mexican marigolds.
Reflecting on the little boy’s fondness for life and her altar, Frey dedicated this year’s setup to him and his mother. She expressed her emotional connection, gazing at their photo atop the altar with a heartfelt sentiment. This year, the boy’s spirit will visit her in a different form, bringing Frey a sense of peace and happiness as she gazes at the completed “ofrenda.”
Celebrated from late October to early November, “El Día de Muertos” or Day of the Dead is a vibrant Mexican holiday deeply rooted in Indigenous customs. Families and communities honor their departed by adorning graves, homes, and streets with colorful decorations, creating a lively atmosphere to welcome back the deceased through memories and love.
Although Frey never observed “Día de Muertos” during her time in Mexico City, the holiday now serves as a meaningful link between Quebec and her homeland, allowing her to reconnect with lost loved ones. Each year, Frey hosts friends to share memories of their departed, incorporating traditional elements like mezcal, water, and tequila on her altar to quench the spirits’ thirst and guide them with scents and visuals.
For Frey, crafting “ofrendas” has aided in her acceptance of her father’s passing, offering a visual and emotional outlet for remembrance and acceptance. Similarly, Gerardo Familiar Ferrer’s experience celebrating the Day of the Dead with Indigenous friends in Oaxaca reshaped his understanding and deepened his respect for the tradition. In Gatineau, Familiar Ferrer’s altar pays tribute to loved ones who have passed, fostering a deeper connection to his heritage and allowing him to share the tradition with others.
In Quebec, events like the immersive journey at UNAM-Canada in Gatineau provide a glimpse into the rich symbolism and traditions of “el Día de Muertos.” The guided tour recreates key elements of the holiday, such as cavern settings symbolizing contact between the living and afterlife. Visitors are enveloped in scents reminiscent of Mexican cemeteries, surrounded by marigolds, skeletons, candles, and the sacred Xoloitzcuintle dog.
Through events like the el Día de Muertos festival in Montreal organized by Rafael Benitez, Mexican Quebecers showcase their traditions, fostering intercultural dialogue and sharing ancestral customs with a broader audience. Benitez, drawing from personal loss, emphasizes the festival’s role in his grieving process, transforming sorrow into connection and understanding.
Despite its association with death and grief, el Día de Muertos is not meant to evoke fear. Participants encourage reflection and celebration, emphasizing the joy and significance of honoring departed loved ones. For Frey, the meticulous curation of her “ofrenda” annually serves as a testament of love to her daughters, showcasing the importance of remembrance and legacy. Embracing life to the fullest, Frey radiates positivity and resilience, demonstrating that the Day of the Dead is a day of joyful remembrance, not sorrow.