Ofrenda for Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos

NIU Libraries is collaborating with the Latino Resource Center and will be celebrating the Day of the Dead with a traditional ofrenda displayed in the Founders Memorial Library lobby. The Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Latin America on November 1-2. The Day of the Dead is typically celebrated with music, picnics, and outings with an ofrenda taking center stage. An ofrenda is a colorful altar decorated with marigolds, candles, incense, food, and photographs of loved ones who have passed. The altar serves as a celebration of life and a means to remember ancestors. While the Day of the Dead is rooted in the Catholic faith and indigenous religions, you do not need to be religious to honor your dead with an ofrenda. Our ofrenda will be on display in the lobby from October 24th to November 6th during all hours the library is open and will include educational texts to share the meaning of both the Day of the Dead and the elements of an ofrenda.