Día de los Muertos, translated to Day of the Dead, is a time to celebrate and honor the life of those that passed away, including your pet. Traditionally celebrated on November 1-2, Día de los Muertos has now branched out to include a day of remembrance for pets on October 27.
At Operation Kindness, we know losing a pet can be hard, but this October you can commemorate your pet’s life with your family by recalling happy memories and stories of them.
The History of the Day of the Dead
Originally celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Latin America, Día de los Muertos has grown popularity in the United States. During the holiday, ofrendas – translated as altars in English – are made and decorated with cherished items of past loved ones.
Celebrants believe that during the celebration, the souls of past pets and family members cross back over to Earth and are guided to their families through the offerings placed for them at the ofrenda.
While it wasn’t always a tradition to celebrate the life of pets during this holiday, as the celebration grew more people wanted to honor their furry loved ones too, marking October 27 as the official day to celebrate lost pets by lighting a candle on an ofrenda in remembrance.
How to Celebrate the Day of the Dead this Year
Creating your own ofrenda is a perfect way to celebrate the life of your past pet this month. While an ofrenda has traditional decorations placed on it like marigold flowers and candles, it can also be customized to fit your pet’s personality. We want to offer you some suggestions on what to place as offerings for your pet.
What to include on your ofrenda:
- Your pet’s food or water bowl
- Your pet’s favorite toy
- A favorite blanket
- Favorite pet food or treat
- Marigolds
- Candles
- Photo of your pet
For many, this is a holiday to receive closure and heal from the loss of a pet. Take time with your family to celebrate the memory of your beloved pet this Día de los Muertos by looking back at the joy filled life once lived.
