As you can see from my previous blog posts, I have been giving considerable thought to the act of preserving shared family narratives lately.

Ironically, The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is just around the corner too (November 1 and 2). This beautiful and cultural observance resonates with me because it celebrates the lives of the deceased and encourages a symbolic reunion between the living and the spirits. Now, before you click the “back” button, know that Día de los Muertos is not about sorrow and heartbreak but about remembrance and celebration.

Originating from ancient indigenous traditions and blended with Spanish Catholic customs, the holiday fosters family and community bonds, preserves cultural heritage, and promotes understanding and acceptance of death’s role in the life cycle. 

Families build altars (ofrendas), place photos and favorite foods of loved ones, light candles, decorate with marigolds, and more.

Rather than viewing death as an end, it frames it as a continuation—a transformation, a spiritual journey.

One aspect of the Day of the Dead that resonates with me is the belief that we potentially die three times. The first is your actual death, the second is when you cross over, but a spirit dies a third time if no one says their name.

Memory is central: in calling on the names of deceased family members, telling their stories, and honoring their presence, we affirm that their lives remain an integral part of ours.

Because Shepherd Way Counseling is committed to holistic healing—of mind, heart, and relationships—this tradition resonates with many therapeutic principles:

• Integration over repression.
  Instead of pushing away painful memories, Día de los Muertos encourages us to incorporate them into our living narrative.

• Collective remembering.
  The community and family gathering around stories dilutes isolation. It invites shared remembrance, support, and continuity.

• Ritual as anchor.
  Rituals ground intangible experiences. Candles, photos, altars—they help us externalize memory and grief, giving shape to emotions that can otherwise feel diffuse.

Say their name. Keep your loved ones alive in your heart and mind.