Many celebrate Dia de los Muertos
and loved ones at Santa Paula Cemetery
November 06, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead was celebrated Sunday with altars, music, food, face painting, raffles and plenty of memories of loved ones at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.
Well over 1,000 people attended the second annual celebration at the cemetery where the sugar skull-decorating area was jammed and several food and merchandise vendors — including Our Lady of Guadalupe Church — set up shop.
Tillie Borrego was volunteering at the Our Lady of Guadalupe booth that featured religious artifacts including those that could be used for altars or the decoration of gravesites.
Music was featured throughout the day including a mariachi band and Aztec Dancers.
Cemetery Manager Laura Cole told the crowd of the history of Dia de los Muertos, a ceremonial custom from Mexico originated by the Aztecs that rather than mourn the dead, celebrated their past life.
“The Aztecs believed that on November 1 and November 2 the souls of the dead are able to return to Earth to be with their family and friends…the celebration is cheerful and once again the beloved ones can enjoy the pleasures of life.”
Cole noted the focal point of the observance involves the offering or “ofrenda,” each “created through the building of an altar or grave decorating,” that can include cherished items of loved ones.
The main altar, shaped like a tiered pyramid, featured photographs of loved ones, flowers, candles, sugar skulls representing the soul of the loved one, favorite snacks and drinks enjoyed in life and ready for afterlife nibbling and imbibing.
The main “ofrenda” had several notes, including one envelope reading, “To My Favorite Grandma from Daniela” as well as coins, caps and poems.
Cole noted that each “ofrenda” must contain four elements of nature deemed vital to life and revered by the Aztec: Earth represented by harvested crops and flowers, drink and other consumable items; wind represented by items that catch the breezes and move; fire using candles that not only signify the deceased but also for lighting the way to the altar; and water, typically a glass which signifies purification and is used to quench the thirst of the loved one after his or her long journey to the ofrenda.
Andrew Gonzalez of the cemetery spoke of the new section at the cemetery, Our Lady of Guadalupe that has been under construction for three years and should be completed within months.
Jim Anderson and his son Ron Anderson, had visited the Ventura County Agricultural and Santa Paula Art Museums for their Dia de Los Muertos events.
When they came across the cemetery celebration Jim Anderson noted, “I said what’s going on,” and they stopped.
“It’s a perfect day,” and he added with a laugh, “They even gave us each of us a raffle ticket!”
The event also included the release of the Wings of Grace Doves and dancing by Grupo Folklorico Tecalitian
It took Cole a half-hour or so for her to do her own Dia de los Muertos makeup and she said she was pleased that so many attendees were wearing costumes and/or the traditional skull makeup.
She was also pleased at the reception: “I’m hearing nothing but positive comments,” from many at the event including the large turnout of families that Cole said, “Love this…there are more people building ofrendas — some started building them Saturday and continued today — and dressing up this year.”
The cemetery started offering the Dia de los Muertos celebration because of “The culture of the community that was our main reason, as well as the culture of the Day of the Dead and the meaning behind it. It’s very spiritual for the family and friends of a loved one,” who find comfort in building or contributing to the ofrenda.
“We’re looking forward to next year,” said Cole. “This will become an annual event at the cemetery.
