The Offices of Medical Student Wellness (OMSW) and Student Affairs is hosting the 4th annual Día de los Muertos altar from November 1 to November 3 in D-CORE (located on the bottom floor of Lane Library) for the Stanford Medicine community. Please bring photos or your ofrenda honoring loved ones to the altar. On Wednesday, November 3, from 10 AM to 1 PM in the D-CORE, join us in making paper flowers.
Dia de los Muertos Altar in the D-CORE
Dias de los Muertos (November 1 and 2) is a Latin American celebration that dates back more than 3,000 years and reunites and honors ancestors, family, and friends. This indigenous tradition offers time for the living to commune and share stories of those who have passed. It became widely celebrated in the United States as a means for identity-building and recognizing our indigenous roots.
Help us celebrate this tradition of honoring and remembering family, friends, and other things (businesses, traditions, pets) lost over the years. We are mindful of our losses over these past two years as many have experienced the global pandemic’s injustices. The altar will be assembled Monday, November 1, and remain up through Wednesday, November 3. Bring a copy of a photo of a loved one you want to honor. You may also bring items and reminders of honored ones for your ofrenda (offering). If you are working or studying remotely and wish to participate, email a photo or ofrenda (poem, name…) to somwellness@stanford.edu. The wellness staff will print submissions and add them to the altar. Look for altar images on OMSW’s Instagram feed (@stanfordOMSW) and share photos of your altar.
We will disassemble the altar on Thursday, November 4. Your photos and recuerdos will be available for pick up in D-CORE.
Wellness will provide supplies to make paper flowers on Wednesday, November 3, from 10 AM to 1 PM in D-CORE. Flowers, especially marigolds, traditionally adorn Day of the Dead altars. Please stop by to make and take your flowers. Email somwellness@stanford.edu if you have questions.
