Día de los Muertos at Historic Congressional Cemetery

Join us for an extraordinary celebration of Día de los Muertos at Historic Congressional Cemetery. In collaboration with special guest and Capitol Hill resident, Rosa Moreno, and Death Doula-in-Residence, Laura Lyster-Mensh, we will transform the chapel in the center of our grounds into a place of learning, remembrance, community gathering, and celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”

Día de los Muertos is a tradition that honors loved ones who have passed, celebrating the ongoing bond between the living and the dead. Millions in Mexico, Latin America, and beyond celebrate by creating colorful ofrendas (altars) with photos, flowers, food, and mementos to welcome spirits back to the earthly world. Many also gather in cemeteries or at festivals to share music, meals, and remembrance in a joyful celebration of life.

Now in its second year, Congressional Cemetery’s Día de los Muertos celebration invites the public to join us on Sunday, November 2 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the historic chapel to collectively build a large-scale ofrenda honoring our departed loved ones.

As Rosa Moreno shares, “Day of the Dead is one of my favorite holidays because we get to set aside a day to celebrate our loved ones that have passed. It's a festive celebration full of life and joy”.

Everyone is welcome to bring photos of departed loved ones, some of their favorite foods, mementos, flowers (fresh or dried), and/or other cherished artifacts from their lives. You can also make something on-site during the event. We will have a variety of hands-on crafts and activities for all ages, including decorating sugar skulls and crafting paper flowers. You can add your creations to the ofrenda during the event and take them home afterward as a keepsake. In celebrating the people and things they loved, we will share stories about those who are gone, learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos and similar customs around the world, and join the community around remembrance and celebration.

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Host or Publisher Historic Congressional Cemetery