This article in the San Fernando Valley Sun website,http://www.sanfernandosun.com/sanfernsun/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4406&Itemid=2, discusses the new Day of the Dead tradition of having “window alters” honoring those who have passed away. The old tradition was for people to go to the cemeteries of their loved ones and put the favorite things of the people who have passed away, including food and games. The reason behind this is to keep the memory of their loved ones alive.
Many parents try to keep the memories of their parents and grandparents alive through their children, who may or may not have been able to meet them. It is believed that the spirits of their loved ones can return to earth and enjoy the things they enjoyed when they were alive. I never understood this holiday, because most of the people celebrating this holiday are Catholic. And Catholics believe in Heaven, so I don’t understand why they would want the spirits to come down from Heaven just to do the mundane things they did when they were on Earth. It just seems mean if it’s true; their ancestors are in Heaven having a good time and then their descendents bring them down to eat pizza. But overall, this idea of having window alters is a very good idea, because it would be difficult for many to go to the cemeteries of their loved ones if they immigrated.
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