Remembering family members and friends through Día de Los Muertos

Día de Los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a two-day holiday, celebrated on November 1 and 2, to remember family members and friends who have died and recognize that death is a natural part of the human experience.

Día de los Muertos is a time of celebration and gathering of families and friends to remember their loved ones. There are bright colors and beautiful adornments. Traditions connected with this holiday include building an “ofrenda” to honor a family’s ancestors. Ofrendas are adorned with sugar skulls, marigolds, and favorite foods and beverages of their relatives.

While the holiday is celebrated various ways throughout the world, the common theme is that this is a special time to intentionally remember those who have died.

Each year at Dougy Center, families participate in Día de los Muertos activities in October and November to remember and honor their loved ones, including contributing to an ofrenda in our living room. Families can also honor, celebrate, and remember loved ones with ofrendas of their own.

Find more information about Día de Los Muertos and download a special activity here. We invite you to post photos of your loved one in celebration of Día de Los Muertos to your social media. Use #dougycenterofrenda and tag Dougy Center @thedougycenter.

Join Dougy Center for Focus on Hope

RSVP today and join us for Dougy Center's Focus on Hope luncheon, Tuesday, October 28, at AVENUE Portland. There is no cost to attend this fundraising event, but registration is required. Find additional information and register here.

Focus on Hope's inspiring program features Dougy Center participants who will share how they express grief through art. Artists include Tiffany Palafox, painter; Maile Crowder, dancer; Never Faull, photographer; and Patricia Watson, stage performer.

Special guest Cheryl Strayed will share her experience in writing about grief and will join the panel discussion with the artists. Cheryl is the bestselling author of Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail and Tiny Beautiful Things.

Thank you to the generous Focus on Hope sponsors for making this event possible, including FOX12 Oregon, State Farm Jared Dean Agency, Radost Solutions, Lawrence Public Relations, Pacific Power, The Standard, Walsh Construction, Finley Sunset Hills - a Dignity Memorial provider, and Reliable Credit Association, Inc.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Rebecca Sturges for details on how to partner in support of Dougy Center’s Focus on Hope Fall Luncheon.