Culture

Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos Wherever You Are in the World

— 3 min read

Two people are dressed in traditional Día de los Muertos attire, with faces painted as sugar skulls. One wears a yellow dress with colorful flowers in their hair, and the other wears a black outfit with vibrant floral embroidery, holding a bouquet of colorful flowers.

It may be called the Day of the Dead, but for the majority of Mexicans — it’s time to celebrate life!

Day of the Dead, or Día de Los Muertos, happens every year on November 1 and 2. It’s a holiday that originates from Mexico, where celebrants honor the lives of their deceased loved ones. The divide between the living and the dead is thought to dissolve, and the spirits of the dead awaken to return to feast with family and friends.

Now, the celebration has spread across the globe with many joyous traditions you can observe anywhere. Here are our top 4 ways of celebrating Dia de Los Muertos wherever you are in the world:

1. Create your own ofrenda, or altar

Ofrendas, or offers, are truly the heart of the holiday. During Día de Los Muertos, people create these colorful altars around their homes and loved ones’ graves to celebrate the departed. Even if you are living abroad, you can easily put one together in your own home.

Start by including the traditional offerings of candles and Marigold flowers, often called “flowers of the dead” because of their sweet scent that’s said to attract spirits. Then it’s time to personalize! Decorate the altar with mementos that remind you of your departed loved ones — photos, favorite foods and sweets are popular choices.

Calavera de Azucar, or sugar skulls, are also very common. This iconic decor can be a fun activity to make at home with a few simple ingredients. Don’t forget colorful frosting to decorate!

2. Feast on the traditions

No Day of the Dead celebration is complete without a feast! Families often make their departed loved one’s favorite foods, and some may include an empty setting at the table.

Pan de Muerto, or “bread of the dead,” is a popular and symbolic choice. Its round shape is said to represent the circle of life. Make a loaf for your own meal or consider including one in your ofrenda.

3. Find festivities near you

Día de Los Muertos doesn’t only happen in Mexico. This vibrant celebration has spread across the world! You might be surprised by what’s in your area. Festivals and parades can be found across major cities, where you’ll see people dressed up for the occasion. Many local bakeries and shops also stock colorful, skull-shaped cookies and treats.

4. Send gifts to loved ones back home

When away from home during Día de Los Muertos, you may wish to help your friends and family celebrate. People around the world use money transfer services to Mexico to contribute to their family’s festivities. At Ria Money Transfer, we celebrate your loved ones all-year round, making us the perfect money transfer service for you during this special holiday.

With Ria Money Transfer, you can easily send money to Mexico and 160+ countries in just a few clicks. To start celebrating Día de Los Muertos, download our app today.

About the author

Arthur Guzzo

Arthur Guzzo

Related posts

A woman sits on the floor in a bright classroom, reading a book to four young children gathered around her. The children are engaged and the classroom is decorated with wooden toys and large windows showing greenery outside.
CultureImmigrationLife Abroad

Living in Japan as a Foreigner: How to Read the Room and Feel at Home

Japan always leaves a strong impression on those who visit the country. Its cities are clean and efficient, public transport is known to be reliable, and everyday life often feels remarkably organized. These factors make it easy to understand why so many people choose moving to Japan as a foreigner: to live, work or study […]

A group of people wearing colorful, traditional woven hats and carrying baskets walk in a line outdoors, with greenery and columns visible in the background.
Culture

From Dance to Values: Uncovering the Full Iceberg of Culture

Are you familiar with the “Iceberg of Culture”? Developed by anthropologist Edward T. Hall, it shows that culture goes far beyond what we can see, shaped as much by visible expressions as by deeper, often invisible elements. On World Day for Cultural Diversity, we’re exploring both sides of that iceberg. From language and dance to […]

Three people in traditional white costumes dance joyfully on a cobblestone street lined with colorful buildings. The two women wear floral hats and red accents, while the man wears a straw hat and red scarf, raising his hands.
CultureLife Abroad

International Dance Day: How Movement Connects Cultures

Dance is a timeless art expressed through movement. It has been used by humanity for millennia to convey meaning and emotions. To this day, dances hold memories and wisdom from ancestral times. They’re a powerful marker of identity that transcends borders and ages, bringing cultures together. That is why many migrants use dance as way […]

Several colorful origami cranes are arranged in a line on sheets of colored paper, forming a rainbow spectrum, on a white tabletop with black chairs in the background.
Culture

We Folded One Thousand Cranes for Children

Key Takeaways ▪ Senbazuru is a Japanese tradition of folding 1,000 paper cranes to express hope, healing, or peace.▪ The paper crane symbolizes long life and resilience in Japanese folklore.▪ Sadako Sasaki, a Hiroshima bombing survivor, made the tradition globally known while battling leukemia.▪ Her story turned the paper crane into an international symbol of […]