Halloween is often a day filled with costumes, haunted houses, and spooky ghosts, but what if those ghosts weren’t so scary? In Mexico, on November 1st and 2nd, their version of Halloween looks a bit different. Instead of focusing on fear, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico transforms this time into a joyful and vibrant holiday that honors the memory of loved ones who have passed, welcoming their spirits back with flowers, music, food, and beautifully decorated altars (and even entire cities!).
Dia de los Muertos turns what many see as grief and sadness into a celebration of memory, connection, and love. Families set up ofrendas, altars decorated with photos of loved ones and pets, candles, marigold flowers, sugar skulls, pan de muerto bread, favorite foods, and trinkets of those who have passed. These offerings are meant to guide the spirits back to their families. It’s believed that our memory keeps them alive.
This significant and joyful holiday reminds us that there’s so much we can learn from those who came before us through their lessons, values, and the legacies they left behind. It also prompts us to reflect on what legacy we are leaving behind for generations to come and how we will be remembered.
Here are a few estate planning lessons we can take from this tradition.
Three Estate Planning Takeaways
Death doesn’t have to be a taboo topic: Death is a natural part of life, as it is something inevitable. Talking about it shouldn’t always feel heavy or sad, but rather be an open and honest discussion with family and friends about how you want to be remembered, who you want to care for your family, and what you want to leave behind.
Your estate plan should tell your story: Ofrendas tell stories through memories, favorite foods, and trinkets; and your estate plan should do the same by reflecting your values, your wishes, and the legacy you want to pass on. What you do today shapes how you’ll be remembered for generations to come. Estate planning doesn’t start after you are gone, it begins now, in the choices you make and the people you protect.
Honor those who came before you: Honor their wishes, celebrate their memory, and carry forward what they taught you. Respecting what someone leaves behind, whether through a will, a trust, or the lessons they have passed, keeps their legacy alive. It also makes you think intentionally about who you choose as your trustee or beneficiaries, and how you can make a lasting impact. Even charitable gifts can ensure your legacy continues to do good long after you are gone.
This year, take some time to honor those that came before you, even pets, who shaped your life. Look through old photos, revisit memories, and reflect on what you’ve learned from them and what you want to leave behind for your own legacy.
Getting Started
Your legacy lives longer than your lifetime, it shapes the lives of those around you. We’re here to help your legacy live on. Contact us today to get started.
Give us a call at (503) 292-8990 or fill out the form below.
