Día de los Muertos: Day of the Dead that celebrates life and honors ancestors in San Francisco’s Mission District

SAN FRANCISCO– The glorious celebration of the Day of the Dead is more than a festive occasion; it is a reflection on life, mortality and the ancestors who came before us, bridging history and the present. Celebrated for more than 3,000 years, this traditional Mexican holiday now embraces both ancient and modern elements and provides a shared space to honor loved ones.

Rosa de Anda, executive director of the Marigold Project, originally from Mexico, has reimagined aspects of the Day of the Dead to better suit her community. “What was I doing the ceremony for, if not to reflect the community and its challenges?” For Rosa, the celebration is a way to connect individuals on both personal and collective journeys.

Based in South San Francisco, artist Danielle Revives transforms her studio into a haven for Day of the Dead creations. “It may look like a storage unit, but it’s not,” she laughs.

From altars to flower crowns honoring figures like Frida Kahlo and her grandmothers, every piece Danielle creates has cultural significance. Her “Hungry Calaverita,” a papier-mâché skull, “starves for messages to your loved one.”

Guests are invited to place notes inside the skull, which will later be presented at a ceremonial burning, connecting the living to those who have died.

Rosa reminds us that the spirit of the Day of the Dead is not limited to November 2. “Take a moment every day to enjoy the joy of life,” she says.

The message of the holiday is universal: life and death are intertwined, and remembering those who came before us enriches our lives in profound ways.