A Día de los Muertos Altar at Erdé
Honoring Tradition and Inviting Community Participation
At Erdé, we’re delighted to showcase a remarkable Day of the Dead altar, created by our talented summer intern Rylee, who thoughtfully combined tradition with Erdé’s design ethos as part of her display art internship. Before beginning her project, Rylee immersed herself in the rich history and symbolism of Día de los Muertos to ensure her work would be a respectful homage to this deeply meaningful celebration. She explored the holiday’s history, symbolism, and the role of the altar in welcoming and honoring the spirits of loved ones. With this understanding, Rylee crafted an altar that thoughtfully integrates Erdé’s distinct design aesthetic and brand values with the time-honored practices of Día de los Muertos, inviting the community to engage in a hands-on, heartfelt tribute.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of Día de los Muertos, share how you can participate in the celebration at Erdé, and feature an accompanying video that demonstrates how you can add your own tribute to the altar for Día de los Muertos.
What is Día de los Muertos?
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated primarily in Mexico and also in some parts of Latin America and the United States as a way to honor deceased family members and friends. This holiday, observed from October 31st through November 2nd, is a time to welcome the spirits of loved ones back for a reunion that is both joyous and deeply meaningful.
At the heart of this celebration is the altar, or ofrenda, where families place photos, mementos, favorite foods, sugar skulls, and candles. This colorful and symbolic display is meant to encourage the spirits to return and join the festivities, creating a space of love and remembrance. If you’ve seen Disney’s Coco, you may already be familiar with the beauty of this tradition, which embraces death as part of life and celebrates the memories of those who have come before us.
How to Participate in the Celebration at Erdé
Whether you’re new to this tradition or have celebrated it before, we welcome you to help us create a meaningful altar together. At Erdé, we’ve set up a dedicated table filled with tealight candles and glass holders, fruits, vegetables, and space on the altar to create a welcoming environment for anyone wishing to add their own personal tribute. Here’s how you can take part:
Pick a Candle: Select a tealight candle from our display, which will be lit on November 1st and 2nd to help guide spirits to the altar. This candlelight is a symbol of remembrance and love, adding warmth and illumination to the altar as a collective gesture from our community. We will ensure your candle is lit throughout the holiday, honoring your loved ones and inviting their spirits to join in the celebration.
Select a Food Item: Choose a small fruit or vegetable to place on the altar from our thoughtfully curated assortment. This offering represents sharing a meal with the spirits, honoring the tastes and traditions of those who have passed on.
Bring a Photo: We invite you to bring a picture of your loved one to place on the altar. This simple yet profound act keeps their memory alive and offers them a visible place at our community celebration, joining others in a heartfelt remembrance.
Arrange Your Tribute: Inspired by Rylee’s thoughtful example—where she placed her grandfather’s photo, candle, and a tomato as a tribute—each contribution becomes part of a collective display of love, remembrance, and cultural connection. Every item added by the community enhances the shared spirit of the altar, creating a meaningful celebration of life and memory.
Join Us in Honoring Life, Memory, and Tradition
At Erdé, we’re incredibly proud of Rylee’s thoughtful work on this altar, which reflects both her understanding of Día de los Muertos and her dedication to creating a respectful, meaningful display. This altar is more than a visual piece—it’s a heartfelt invitation to the community to come together and celebrate the lives of those who have come before us. We invite you to join us in honoring this beautiful tradition by adding your own tribute and experiencing the spirit of Día de los Muertos firsthand.
Visit Erdé to witness the altar, contribute to this shared celebration, and feel the profound connection between culture, memory, and community. We’re honored to create this space with you.
Celebrate in Tubac on November 2nd
This year’s Día de los Muertos celebration will take place in Tubac on November 2nd. There will be music, dancing, and community activities, providing a vibrant setting to experience the warmth and joy of Día de los Muertos. Learn more on the Tubac Chamber of Commerce site.
