Celebrating The Day Of The Dead
In our latest My Weekly Special (no 69, out now, £3.99) columnist Helen Mark meets a woman who’s bringing Mexican funeral traditions to the UK through her art.
Danielle Greenwood, from El Paso, Texas, adores the art and traditions of the Dia de los Muertos. It’s believed that this is when the souls of the dead come back to visit their loved ones. The festival is celebrated from October 31 to November 2.
Death has been very much on Helen’s mind this year. The pandemic has caused additional distress to grieving families by limiting funeral arrangements.
She shares her feeling that there is something therapeutic in Danielle’s craft workshops, which she runs in a cemetery chapel in Bristol and also in schools.
An ofrenda created by pupils at Merchants Academy, guided by Danielle
“We shouldn’t suppress the pain of loss”
In Mexico, Danielle explains, families will create an ofrenda or altar to the memory of their departed relatives.
Sugar skulls – symbolising the dead person but also the sweetness of life – feature prominently.
“We always have photographs of the deceased, along with memorabilia, food, flowers and candles, all to welcome their souls.
“We do this each year for a reunion with the souls of the deceased, to celebrate their lives and show that they are still remembered.
“It can be upsetting, perhaps frightening, to bring back that pain of loss, to cry again. But we shouldn’t suppress that,” she says.
She and Helen each reflect on painful losses in their own lives, and agree that there is comfort to be found in the rituals of Dia de los Muertos.
See more of Danielle’s art at Viva Los Muertos UK
Read the full feature in My Weekly Special 69, out today – subscribe here!
Sarah Proctor
I've worked on a variety of regional newspapers and national magazines. My Weekly and Your Best Ever Christmas are fantastic, warm-hearted brands with an amazing, talented team. I'm a sub-editor and particularly love working on cookery, fiction and advice pages - I feel I should know all the secrets of eternal life, health and happiness by now, but hey, we all need that regular reminder!
