Video: Day Of The Dead Celebration

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s the first of the month, and not only does this mean it’s day-light saving, but also the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead is a Holiday that celebrates loved ones who have passed away.

It coincides with the Catholic holidays All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
For many outside of the Mexican Culture, Day of the Dead may sound like a scary movie.

But that’s not the case.

The first two days of November marks the Mexican tradition, Day of the Dead. This allows people to establish and celebrate the connection between the living and the dead.

“This is something we do with very sincere care and love and it’s a wonderful way to remember how we live them and how they loved to live, that’s why we put things and different items on the alter that we know they used to love,” Veronica Lopez of St. James Catholic Church said.
This two day celebration first began over three thousand years ago in Mexico but has now spread throughout the country.

During the celebration, family members create altars to honor the lives of those who have passed.

Everything on an altar has a special meaning. Family members pray, and leave symbolic items in memory of their loved ones such as flowers, or even bread.

“Their spirits are here and they come to visit and see what we’ve made for them and what we’ve made with love just for them,” Lopez said.

Veronica Lopez has been celebrating Day of the Dead for over 20 years now and she said Sunday she honored three important family members.

“I have a cousin and even my two dogs that were apart of my family, we even put pictures of them too,” she said.

Even though death and symbols play a big part in this holiday, Lopez made it clear that it’s anything but sad.

“We want to do it with joy, and care, but we know that we’re happy today and tomorrow. We’re celebrating their death but we’re also celebrating life.”

Marco Lopez is veronica’s father and he’s been celebrating the holiday for over 40 years and said it’s important for both him and his family to keep this tradition alive.

“Pope Francis, now, he’s telling us that we should be proud of out heritage and for me, it’s wonderful, to hear that speech and guidance from him that I feel really proud and I feel the pride for being a Mexican and I want to give this to my daughter and grandson,” Lopez said.
November 1st, the first day of the celebration, is centered on young children who have died, and tomorrow’s celebration will be centered around the older people who have passed away.