Kansas City’s Elaborate Altars: Honoring Loved Ones with Unmatched Creativity

Local Kansas City families go all out with altars honoring loved ones for Day of the Dead

A Celebration of Life and Legacy

In Kansas City, local families are finding unique and creative ways to honor their loved ones through elaborate altars for the Day of the Dead. This traditional Mexican holiday, which spans from November 1 to 2, is a time for families to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed away. But for many families, the altars have become much more than just a way to pay tribute. They have become a way to preserve memories and connect with the past.

One such family is the Damien sisters, who lost their father to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2019. Wanting to create an altar that truly reflected his personality, the sisters transformed old wooden tables into a unique display adorned with their father’s tools, playing cards, and even his hospital bracelets. They also included a floor tiling that reminded them of their father’s childhood home in Mexico. For them, the Day of the Dead is not just a tradition, but a way to keep their father’s memory alive and honor who he was as a person.

The Power of Grief and Connection

For families like the Palacios, the Day of the Dead altar is a powerful outlet for grieving and a way to keep the memory of their loved ones alive. Macio Palacio and his family built their altar in the trunk of their 1973 El Camino, creating a stunning display that won the people’s choice award at the local exhibition. Their altar is dedicated to numerous family members, including Palacio’s two brothers who were victims of gun violence, his nephew who lost his battle with cancer, and his grandmother. It is a collective effort that brings the family together and allows them to remember and honor their past.

Cristina Contreras, sister of Nadia Damien, sees the weeks of planning the altar as not only a way to reconnect with the dead but also with one another. The process of brainstorming and creating the altar becomes a shared experience that strengthens the bond between siblings and allows them to tell their father’s story in a unique and meaningful way. The altar serves as a physical representation of their memories and love, bringing them closer to their father even though he is no longer physically present.

Preserving and Sharing Culture

The Day of the Dead altars have also become a way for families to preserve and share their cultural heritage. While the tradition is deeply rooted in Mexico, families in Kansas City and other parts of the United States have embraced it as a way to celebrate their own family histories and connections to their ancestral homeland. The altars showcase not only the personal stories of the individuals being honored but also the rich traditions and customs of Mexican culture.

The Mattie Rhodes Center’s annual Day of the Dead altar exhibition, which opened on October 6, provides a platform for families to showcase their altars and connect with others in the community. The exhibit will conclude with a parade on November 6, where families will walk in the procession holding photos of their deceased relatives. It is a powerful and emotional celebration that not only honors the dead but also brings the community together to remember and share in the collective grief and joy that comes with the Day of the Dead.

Advice for Honoring Loved Ones

For those who want to create their own Day of the Dead altar to honor their loved ones, there are no hard and fast rules. The key is to make it personal and meaningful, reflecting the unique personality and life of the person being remembered. Incorporate items that have significant meaning, such as photographs, personal belongings, favorite foods or drinks, or even handwritten notes or letters. The altar should serve as a tribute that captures the essence of the person and their impact on the lives of those they left behind.

It is important to approach the creation of the altar with a sense of reverence and respect. The Day of the Dead is a deeply spiritual and cultural tradition, and participants should take the time to understand its historical and cultural significance. By embracing the traditions and customs associated with the Day of the Dead, families can create a powerful and meaningful tribute that not only honors their loved ones but also connects them to their cultural heritage.

In conclusion, the elaborate altars created by local Kansas City families for the Day of the Dead serve as a testament to the power of love, grief, and cultural heritage. These unique displays not only honor the memory of the deceased but also serve as a way for families to connect with their past and share their stories with the community. The Day of the Dead is a time of reflection, celebration, and remembrance, and the altars created during this time are a beautiful and tangible expression of these emotions.