Annual Day of the Dead celebration at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery features mariachi, crafts and Mass as All Souls Day approaches
BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP — Joining in ancient tradition, Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services (CFCS) hosted its annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration Oct. 24 at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery in Brownstown Township.
Traditionally observed Nov. 1 and 2, concurrently with the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, Día de los Muertos places a reverent and intentional acknowledgment on the relationship between life and death. Day of the Dead is not a day of mourning; rather it is a day to celebrate and honor the lives of loved ones who have died.
In this light, the event at Our Lady of Hope opened with mariachi and vibrant traditional dancing from Ballet Folklórico de Detroit. The energy of celebration and joy surged as dozens of dancers flourished ornate skirts and gritos — joyful and emotional calls — resounded through the pavilion.
As the music and dancing continued throughout the afternoon, participants were able to visit food trucks or tour the cemetery, and children could participate in crafts and receive traditional sugar skull face paint.
Participants in the Day of the Dead event were also invited to bring photographs of deceased loved ones to place on a community ofrenda.
Perhaps the focal point of Día de los Muertos, the ofrenda is an altar constructed in honor of those loved ones being remembered throughout the celebration. A traditional ofrenda features photos of departed friends, family and even pets, as well as candles, sugar skulls, marigolds, water and food. Ofrendas are also often adorned with papel picado, colorful tissue paper cutouts whose delicacy symbolizes the impermanence of life. These decorations, according to cultural tradition, also signify pathways through which prayers can reach the departed and hasten their journey to heaven. Many ofrendas also incorporate imagery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico and the Americas.
In conjunction with placing their loved one's image on the ofrenda, attendees were invited to attend Mass celebrated by Fr. John Herman of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Allen Park.
In his homily, Fr. Herman reflected on the beauty of the Day of the Dead traditions of visiting the cemeteries, tending to the graves of family and friends and maintaining a sense of connection with the dead.
"Sometimes we forget about our need to pray for our deceased loved ones," Fr. Herman said. "We know that purgatory is there and that it is a reminder of God's great love and mercy for us. We need that purification in order to be ready to meet God in heaven, and so what we do when we celebrate here, is we remember to keep praying for our deceased loved ones all the time, that they may receive that purification that we all still need."
The practices of Day of the Dead are culturally and historically rich ways to enable the works of mercy that are encountered through death. Preparing an ofrenda with flowers, candles and the photographs and favorite foods of loved ones offers a dedicated space for the spiritual work of prayer for the faithfully departed. These celebrations on Nov. 1 and 2 also provide a thoughtful entry point to the traditional November devotion to prayer for the holy souls in purgatory.
Similarly, visiting a cemetery, tending to and caring for a gravesite are opportunities to continue the corporal work of mercy of proper Christian burial.
Attendees at the Día de los Muertos celebration who spoke with Detroit Catholic reflected upon the meaning of the symbolism associated with the day.
Amanda Owen of the Basilica of Ste. Anne Parish in Detroit and her cousin Heather Spencer were attending the event for the first time, but they observe Día de los Muertos annually with ofrendas and celebrations at home.
"This ofrenda is so beautiful," Owen said. "My uncle is buried here, and his birthday is coming up, so it was the perfect day to come visit the grave and participate in this event."
"I have an altar at home, too, with my mom and my dad on it," Spencer added. "I put it up every year."
The CFCS event has seen participation increase every year, with more than 250 people in attendance this past weekend.
