Dear Reverend,
I traveled to Mexico last year and was there for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I was really moved by how beautiful the traditions were, and I would like to celebrate the holiday at home. Is it wrong for me to do that since I don’t have any Mexican ancestry?
La Catrina (nonbinary, 27)
Dear La Catrina,
Most people are familiar with Day of the Dead through movies and books. It’s a Mexican holiday, usually celebrated on November 1 and 2, where people honor and remember their deceased loved ones. Traditions include visiting and cleaning graves, as well as setting up home altars with marigolds, photos of the departed, and food and drink offerings.
While the name and focus of Day of the Dead may seem sad, the holiday is truly a joyful celebration of life. It’s believed that the spirits visit the living, and there’s usually music, dancing and food involved.
Some people may disagree, but I think there’s a big difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. If the holiday really resonated with you, I don’t think you should ignore that. As long as you take the time to learn about the traditions and are respectful in how you choose to celebrate, I don’t think you’d be doing anyone any harm.
Many cultures believe that the veil between this life and the next is particularly thin at this time of year. The Celtic festival of Samhain, the Christian commemoration of All Saints’ Day, Mexico’s Día de los Muertos and secular Halloween are all connected. If you want to find a similar celebration that better aligns with your ancestry, just do a little research.
However you decide to celebrate, say hello to everybody on the other side for me.
Good luck and God bless,
The Reverend
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4 2025.
