Halloween, All Saints Day, Day of the Dead

My grandson’s father is from Mexico, and the family celebrates both Halloween and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I never fully understood this day, and the colorful skeletons always seemed a little scary to me until I saw Disney’s movie Coco. The film centers around the love of family and honoring our deceased ancestors. Through music and storytelling, Coco shows that remembrance is not about fear—it’s about connection, love, and legacy.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

In doing a little research, I learned that the origins of Día de los Muertos trace back to the Spanish missionaries, who introduced All Saints’ Day (November 1, honoring those in heaven) and All Souls’ Day (November 2, praying for all who have died).

The indigenous peoples of Mexico already had rituals honoring ancestors, often held around harvest time. Rather than erase those customs, the missionaries merged them with the Christian observances, creating a blend of faith and culture—where remembrance is shaped by both indigenous tradition and Christian hope in eternal life.

Halloween’s History

And Halloween’s origins, All Hallows’ Eve, means “the evening before All Saints’ Day” — much like Christmas Eve precedes Christmas Day. “Hallow” is an old English word meaning holy or saintly and commemorated a vigil of sacred remembrance far from today’s modern festivities.

As a storyteller, I’m reminded that every story we tell keeps someone’s memory alive. Whether it’s the stories of our loved ones, those who went before us, or the faithful voices of Scripture, these stories weave us together across time and generations.

In my upcoming novel, Daughters of the Desert, I was deeply moved by the courage of the daughters of Zelophehad, who risked everything to honor their father’s name. Their story — like the remembrances celebrated in Día de los Muertos — is about faith, family, and legacy. These five sisters stepped forward in front of Moses and the whole assembly, not for wealth or position, but to ensure their father’s memory would not be forgotten.

Their act of remembrance became an act of faith — and a turning point in history for women.

This season reminds us to do the same: to share the stories that shaped us, to honor those whose faith, courage, and love continue to inspire us and to live in such a way that our faith will inspire those who come after.

“We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” Hebrews 12:1.