Balancing Tradition and Modern Touch in Day of the Dead Celebrations
Every year, as November begins, the air across Mexico and among Mexican American communities in the U.S. fills with the scent of marigolds, candles, and freshly made “pan de muerto.” It’s the time for DÃa de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead — a vibrant, soulful celebration of life, death, and memory. Families come together to honor their ancestors through altars, music, food, and the iconic sugar skulls known as “calaveritas.” But today, many are asking how this deeply spiritual tradition can hold its meaning in a world where modernity and commercialization often take center stage.
Traditionally, DÃa de los Muertos was an intimate family affair — observed at home and in cemeteries, where ofrendas (altars) were filled with photographs, favorite foods, cigars, and even bottles of mezcal for departed loved ones. Each item placed carried love and intention, welcoming souls believed to return for one night to be among the living again. Skeletons, or “calacas,” symbolized this return — a reminder that death is simply another phase in the cycle of life, much like seeds returning to the earth before they bloom again.
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But over the years, the celebration has expanded far beyond its roots. Films like Disney’s Coco helped introduce the Day of the Dead to audiences around the world, sparking admiration but also turning the holiday into a pop-culture phenomenon. Parades, festivals, and even store-bought altar kits from big retailers like Target and Walmart have now become part of the experience. For some, this exposure helps keep the tradition alive; for others, it feels like its spiritual essence is being lost to commercialization.
Cesáreo Moreno, the chief curator of the National Museum of Mexican Art, believes the transformation is a double-edged sword. While Coco made the celebration globally known and helped people outside the community appreciate its beauty, it also turned the Day of the Dead into something more marketable. “It’s fine for traditions to evolve,” he said, “as long as people don’t forget what’s at the heart of it.”
And at that heart lies connection — not consumption. People like Ana Cecy Lerma in Texas worry that social media has pushed many to build minimalist or “Instagram-worthy” altars, losing sight of their purpose. “If your altar is made only to look pretty,” she said, “then the reason behind it starts to fade.”
Still, hope remains strong. Many Mexican Americans are finding ways to honor their roots while embracing modernity. Some create contemporary altars; others, like Arizona resident Beth McRae, who has built altars since 1994, focus on respect and authenticity — ensuring every trinket and sugar skull comes from Mexico itself.
Ultimately, the Day of the Dead continues to evolve, just as generations do. As Salvador Ordorica, a first-generation Mexican American, put it, “Traditions must change to survive — as long as their soul remains the same.” And perhaps that’s what truly keeps the departed close: not the design of the altar, but the love and remembrance that never fade.
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