Monumental Altar Celebrates Day of the Dead 2024

The Mérida City Council has unveiled a grand altar in the city’s central square as part of the Day of the Dead 2024. This impressive structure, measuring 15 meters in length, six meters in height, and four meters in depth, is designed to celebrate and uphold traditions and cultural practices associated with the Day of the Dead. The altar will be on display until November 2nd, according to Karla Berrón Cámara, the Director of Identity and Culture of the City Council, during the opening ceremony officiated by Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada.

The altar will serve as a place of remembrance for deceased adults. It will also feature water for the spirits returning from the afterlife, salt to purify them, and incense to guide them back to their loved ones.

In addition to the main altar, a separate altar has been set up for children. This includes photographs, food, fruit, bread, and candles. There is also a special altar dedicated to the “lonely spirits”. This practice, still prevalent in Mayan communities, involves making an offering for souls who return but no longer have living relatives to remember them.

Berrón Cámara explained this tradition, saying, “Other families set altars for the lonely spirits, which is a practice that is still part of the culture and traditions of the Yucatecan and Merida people. We wanted to share this with both locals and visitors who come to see this monumental altar.”

She also reminded the public that the offering will be on display until November 2nd. Visitors are encouraged to bring photos of their departed loved ones to take pictures with at this grand installation. The altar is one of the many activities planned for the Festival of the Spirits 2024, celebrating the memory of the departed.