South Omaha Immigrant History Museum: Día de los Muertos Altar

October 29th, 2025

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Latino holiday that celebrates the lives and memories of those who have passed on. Though death may bring sadness, this day is meant not for grief but for remembrance of those who are no longer with us.

José García, General Director of the Mexican American Historical Society of the Midlands, says, “It’s a very ancient cultural tradition… it’s a way of providing an eternal memory of one’s spirit, of one’s essence — of what they were when they were a part of the living cycle on Earth.”

García has long promoted Latino culture throughout Omaha, exposing audiences to various aspects of the city’s Latino history and traditions. Working with Casa de Cultura in Omaha, he has helped spread awareness of Día de los Muertos and bring the Latino community together in celebration. García says, “We’re working with people in the community who need a place to gather and to do things that include children and adults — activities that belong to them.”

García, who is involved with the South Omaha Immigrant History Museum near 42nd and Center Streets, will be hosting a vigil for Día de los Muertos on November 1. The vigil is free and open to the community, inviting attendees to bring memories of their loved ones and celebrate alongside others. “There’s no grief, no horror, no tragedy — only remembrance of one’s life and the honor of having been nourished by that life,” says García.

More information can be found at mahsm.org.