Celebrated in México, Guatemala, Ecuador, Brasil, El Salvador Día De Los Muertos is a tradition all about celebrating life and remembering our deceased loved ones. November 1st and 2nd are considered to be the days where life on earth and life in the land of the dead come together. This is a time when the loved ones who have passed-on return symbolically to appreciate lifeʼs pleasures, such as eating, drinking and reuniting with their families here on earth.
Día de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience: a continuum with birth, childhood, and adulthood. On Día de los Muertos, the dead are also a part of our community, awakened from their eternal sleep to be in spirit with loved ones.
Día de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience: a continuum with birth, childhood, and adulthood. On Día de los Muertos, the dead are also a part of our community, awakened from their eternal sleep to be in spirit with loved ones.
A Community Ofrenda | 2024
This year's celebration of Día de Los Muertos in Rhode Island will be held at the Southside Cultural Center, 393 road St. Providence, 02907. Gathering begins at 5:30pm and procession will begin at approximately 6:15pm (sunset).
FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Art-making activities will be offered, plus face painting to help you fully get into the spirit of Día de Los Muertos.
COMMUNITY ALTAR: Bring a photo and a memento that reminds you of a deceased loved one whom you wish to remember, and place them on our ofrenda (community altar). You may bring a luminary, but an open flame is not recommended. The ofrenda will remain in place from November 2-3. You do not have to return to retrieve your items and we ask that you not leave anything of value because everything will be disposed of.
A PROCESSION will begin at 6:15pm as we make our way to Grace Church Cemetery. There, we will be joined by a a singing Catrina, a storyteller, a spoken poetry artist, and the program will culminate with a Catrina parade back to the ofrenda. Bring a luminary to carry as we honor the dead who are buried in the cemetery. NOTE: The cemetery has no lighting, so we recommend you were comfortable and shoes. We will not allow anyone to wander through the gravesite.
A PROCESSION will begin at 6:15pm as we make our way to Grace Church Cemetery. There, we will be joined by a a singing Catrina, a storyteller, a spoken poetry artist, and the program will culminate with a Catrina parade back to the ofrenda. Bring a luminary to carry as we honor the dead who are buried in the cemetery. NOTE: The cemetery has no lighting, so we recommend you were comfortable and shoes. We will not allow anyone to wander through the gravesite.
DOWNTOWN BLOCK PARTY: Immediately after our event in South Providence, participants can take a shuttle bus from the SCC downtown to attend a Block Party hosted by PVDHouse.
La Catrina
Everywhere you look in the streets during the Day of the Dead celebrations in México, a familiar face will come to you. You will find it in the face paint of the children, in the elaborate costumes of women, or in the pan de muertos.
You have more than likely seen this face: a smiling skull wearing an elegant embroidered hat decorated with flowers and feathers. Her name is La Catrina. When La Catrina arrives, it's time to shift from the quiet observation of Día de Los Muertos to a celebration of life!
Show off your creativity by dressing up as La Catrina and join our informal Fashion Show. Face painting available on site.
All ages and genders are welcome!
You have more than likely seen this face: a smiling skull wearing an elegant embroidered hat decorated with flowers and feathers. Her name is La Catrina. When La Catrina arrives, it's time to shift from the quiet observation of Día de Los Muertos to a celebration of life!
Show off your creativity by dressing up as La Catrina and join our informal Fashion Show. Face painting available on site.
All ages and genders are welcome!
Puertas Ofrenda
The Puertas Ofrenda will be on display on Saturday, November 2, 2024, during our annual celebration of life and later on permanent display at La Galería @RILA.
Click below to post a remembrance on this website and we will add the name of a loved one to our Traveling Puertas Ofrenda.
Oprime🔺arriba para escribir una memoria
Rhode Island Remembers ...
Jim Mangold | Date passed: March 30, 2024
Best handyman around town. Best sole Girl Scout dad. Always had water and a snack, blanket, encouraging words, or a few dollars to spare for your loved ones or those in need in your community. No one made me mad like you did either. I'd like to think we could have grown more together as we both aged in this world. Thanks for being a great dad. We all love and miss you enormously. Hope you are resting easy.
Submitted by: Chelsea M
Ann Elizabeth Kellie Dunnington | Date passed:
My mom. I miss her every day. She was an amazing person. Cared for many, helped those in need of help. Laughed, loved, taken too young by cancer.
Submitted by: Susan Duddington
Tomás Ford | Date passed: July 25, 2024
My baby brother left on July 25 after some years of mental health issues and addiction. He was loved by so many and has left an unfathomable absence in all of our lives.
My brother was named Thomas after my father and his father, a long line of Irish men. When I was in College, studying Spanish for the 7th year, my brother began to also do so. Whenever I was home visiting, we would speak Spanish together to practice. From this point on I always called him Tomás. ♥️ It was a special connection between the two of us.
My brother was named Thomas after my father and his father, a long line of Irish men. When I was in College, studying Spanish for the 7th year, my brother began to also do so. Whenever I was home visiting, we would speak Spanish together to practice. From this point on I always called him Tomás. ♥️ It was a special connection between the two of us.
Submitted by: Linda Ford
The Segura Farfan Family | Date passed: Apr 20, 1977
Loving grandparents Amparo and Jesús their daughter Silvia and Husband Manuel moved to the USA to persue the American Dream, to build a new future.
Grandkids Marcela and Manuel Jr.
Submitted by: Marcela Hoyos
Armani Diego Jaramillo | Date passed: Jan 22, 2021
Submitted by: Jessica Alvarez
Emma Luna Knickman | Date passed: Oct. 19, 2023
Luna was a girl I had know for years before meeting her in the flesh. I came to know, love, and care for her more than I ever thought possible in 56 short days to the point I asked her to marry me on 10/17/23. She said yes. I will carry her with me always.
Submitted by: Skye Hawthorne
Ricardo Zuniga | Date passed: January 1, 2019
Richie, I can’t begin to tell you how much you are missed and how life has not been the same since you left us. You left a huge whole in all of our hearts. We love you and miss you every day Ricardito!
Submitted by: Jenni Vee
David Beauchaine Jr. | Date passed: October 15, 2022
My brother was a gentle giant with a heart of gold. I pray he is at peace and knows how much he is missed and loved. 🙏🏻
Submitted by: Wendy Beauchaine
Allen Bruce Walker| Date passed: April 5, 2024
My father, Allen Bruce Walker, passed away on April 5, 2024. We are happy you are no longer in pain and are free but we miss you dearly. Your jokes, your attitude, your love for your grandchildren... Forever in our hearts and we hope you are being a free spirit in the afterworld. We love you, Pépère'!
Submitted by: Holly Lemieux
Tom Lazinski | Date passed: May 18, 2013
One of the first times we saw 6-year old Tom, we were blown away by the amazing little boy playing the violin during service. It didn't seem possible that someone that small could make such a big sound. Now it doesn't seem possible that he is no longer with us.
Submitted by: Chris Sternadore
Juan Rivera | Date passed: Dec 29, 2023
Romeo and I miss you so much. We will always love you
Submitted by: Jennet Kirschenbaum
- Click to open to read Memories …
Carmen E. Alvadaro-Pabon | Date passed: May 11, 2023
My great grandma. The root of my mom's side. If it was not for her I would not have been born and started my own little family.
Thank you for giving life to my mom. You are truly missed. We love you. You will never be forgotten.Submitted by: Melissa BurgosMaria Luisa Argueta de Posada | Date passed: August 25, 2023
Amidst El Salvador's civil war in the 1980s, Mama Luiza made a choice to send her nine daughters to the United States to protect them from the violence. My mother and aunts flourished, started families, and passed on my abuelita's legacy of love and determination. Her sacrifice remained an enduring source of inspiration, a testament to the strength of a mother's love.
Submitted by: Raùl GutiérrezRuth D Aviles Alvarado | Date passed: August 15, 2022
Mi abuelita, she went to heaven in August last year to join my abuelo, Pedro Allende, who passed almost 8 years ago. I believe their love could not be separated, so God put them back together in heaven. You and Carmen, (see left) are missed every day. You have raised an amazing family. We thank you, love you, and know that you will continue to watch over the family.Submitted by: Melissa BurgosIliana Saavedra | Date passed: September 5, 2023
Nana, I hope you're singing and dancing up there in heaven. We miss you and think of you every day. I love you more.Submitted by: Iliana SaavedraFrank Provenzano | Date passed: November 8, 2018
Our Rock. Grandpa Frank continued to work on keeping his family together no matter the distance. No matter the trials. No matter how much time cancer took from us. His smile fillled our hearts with joy knowing that he wanted us there...together. His memory will live on. Miss you, Grandpa.Submitted by: Katherine GonzálezHenry Lopez Saavedra | Date passed: Ocotber 9, 2022
Dad, I would not have made it this far in life without your love and guidance. I'm sorry I never expressed how grateful I was to you for all your hard work and sacrificed. I'm so blessed to have had a Dad who loved me and supported me like you did. I honor you Dad today and every day. I love you.Submitted by: Iliana SaavedraRicardita Nieves | Date passed: Apr 21, 2020
Madre mía te estraño demasiado.
Espero que este en la Gloria de Diós con Abela 🙏
Submitted by: Tina NievesDavid J. Beauchaine, Sr. | Date passed: Nov 28, 2006
My dad was a funny, handsome, talented, and kind man. There wasn’t anyone who didn’t have something good to say about him. He was a wonderful husband and amazing father.
Every once in awhile I catch a glimpse of my fathers expression, in something my boys will say or do, and am so grateful that his legacy is still strong!
I pray that his soul is now pain free and he is in eternal peace. Fifteen years has gone way too quickly. You are so loved Bo!
Submitted by: Wendy BeauchainMario Silva | Date passed: September 29, 2019
Wishing you were still with us, but we know you're watching down on us with a smile and a Bush Light. Until we meet again we'll be here missing you and thinking of you often.
Te Amo.
Submitted by: Caitlin MendozaArmida Elizabeth Arias | Date passed: January 24, 2021
Mi abuela era mas como mamá para mi. Me hace falta todos los días. Tengo un hueco en mi corazón que nunca voy a poder llenar. Mi ángel para siempre.
Te extraño mucho, Mami.
Submitted by: Kristen Rosas
- Click to read mementos …
Frank Lampasi | Date passed: August 6, 2004
I was blessed with the most amazing father in the world. Papa you are missed every day. We love you so much
Submitted by: Antoinette BelknapMalcolm Spencer Brown | Date passed: November 3, 2021
Submitted by: Melissa and Anne Neubauer and LarsenArnulfo Antonio | Date passed: March 11, 2020
Submitted by: Jocelyn AntonioHerminia Antonio Cruz | Date passed: Septeember 5, 2013
Submitted by: Joselyn AntonioJohn Ryall "JR"
Our brother, JR had moved to Rhode Island [from New York] because he was recovering from a stroke. He was in a Rehab facility in East Providence. It was one of the last facilities in Rhode Island to get COVID, and he was one of the last people there to get COVID. Unfortunately, he did not do well.
J.R. died in beginning of June, during the first surge. He was waiting to get assistance, but not long after he went there to get care, he got sick before we knew it!
He was an avid music fan, but "fan" doesn't do it justice. Beatles, Ramones, Punk Rock. He was also a Mets fan. He grew up and lived in New York's Long Island his whole life. He was very, very, kind, gentle, quiet and introverted.
