Dia De Los Muertos

Where would you go if you want to party with, say, a few thousand of your closest friends? At the cemetery, of course! Each year Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts a special event with dance, music, art show, live performances, and food to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos.

Dia de los muertos, also known as "Day of the Dead", is a traditional Mexican holiday when friends and families celebrate and honor loved ones who have passed away. To commemorate their life, they create elaborate altars with offerings, flowers, pictures, and personal items that used to belong to the deceased. A young girl was asked by a reporter what Dia de los Muertos meant to her and who is the inspiration for her altar. She answered that she created it as a remembrance of her sister who committed suicide. Her participation in the event has allowed her to turn something tragic into something positive. In remembering her sadness, she also recalls happy times together. The only true lost is when you have forgotten. And as long as you still remember, the person's spirit lives on.

Here are a few of the images I recorded at the event. You can read more about the history of Dia de los Muertos as well see past photos of the event here.