The Tradition of Día de los Muertos

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By the San Diego County Latino Association Employee Resource Group

Through art, music and ritual, Día de los Muertos honors our ancestors and celebrates today's community. We mourn our loved ones when they pass with funeral services and wearing dark solemn clothing. It’s usually a sad time in our families when we have to say goodbye to a loved one forever. Different cultures grieve and treat death differently with traditions that have been around for centuries. Mexican culture has created a unique and interesting way to face death and the deceased. Mexico is known to be colorful, joyful in spirit and lots of fun. The people, the food and the celebrations are bright, loud and unique. So when it comes to death, in true Mexican style, Mexicans celebrate with color, food and music.

Traditionally, Día de los Muertos is a two-day celebration when it is believed that the passageway between the real world and the spirit world is open so our deceased loved ones can come back to visit us. What do we do when our loved one comes back from the land of the dead? We make their favorite meal and we offer them their favorite drink! We sing, dance and rejoice before they head back to the underworld for another year.

The custom of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, may be confused with the custom of Halloween. They are not connected, however, the customs of each have very different origins, and the symbols and ideas of death are opposite. In the typical Halloween festivities, death is something to be feared. During Día de los Muertos, the memories and lives of those who have died are something to be celebrated. The customs and culture are completely enveloped in the making of the altars, the food, music, decorations and crafts of the holiday. During Día de los Muertos events, there is music, dancing and happiness all around and definitely no crying or grieving. This is a reflective and lively get-together honoring the deceased back to celebrate life and enjoy all the human things again.

Below is more information regarding traditions for Día de los Muertos:

Altars (Ofrendas)

The Aztecs used to offer water and food to the deceased to help them on their journey to the land of the dead. Now, Mexican families set up beautifully decorated altars in their homes and place photos of the loved ones they have lost along with other items. The ofrendas usually consist of water, the loved one’s favorite food and drink items, flowers, bread and other things that celebrate the dead person’s life.

Marigolds (cempasuchil)

Marigolds are used during Día de Muertos celebrations by being placed on the altars and on the burial sites. The marigold flower is thought to guide the spirits back with their intense color and pungent smell.

Skulls (calaveras)

Skulls are a huge part of the holiday. Skulls were used during rituals in the Aztec era and passed on as trophies during battles. Today, during Día de Los Muertos, small decorated sugar skulls are placed on the altars. There is nothing grim about these skulls. They are decorated with colorful edible paint, glitter and beads, and they sport huge smiles.

La Catrina

The skulls (calaveras) and skeletons (calacas) that are so prominent in today’s festivities came about at the beginning of the 19th century when cartoonist and social activist José Guadalupe Posada drew La Catrina to protest the Mexican people’s desire to look more European. La Catrina has become one of the biggest symbols of Day of the Dead with people painting their faces with skulls and flowers.

Papel Picado

Papel picado means perforated paper and is an integral part of Mexican culture. The art comes from the Aztec tradition of chiseling spirit figures on wood. It is used during Day of the Dead celebrations by stringing them on the altars and in the streets. Ofrendas showcase fire, water, earth and air. Papel picados represent air on the altar.


Though Día de los Muertos originally started in Mexico, it is widely celebrated in various part of the world and by individuals of all cultures. This is a day to come together in celebration honoring loved ones from the past.

Source documentation for the write up is based on the information from the following website.

Join Thriving Through the Holidays

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Join the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group and a SDCCU representative for an informative online session on how to responsibly handle the spending pressures and choices of the holiday season, so you can spend more time enjoying it. Planning, creating a budget, trimming costs, creative gift ideas and more are just some of the tips that will be shared.

Webinar Information:

For more information, contact Vincent Delgado at vdelgado@sdccu.com or (858) 220-5430.

‘Tech Bar’ Offers In-person Help with IT Issues

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Employees can get in-person help from an IT professional during a pilot at the County Operations Center.

“Tech Bar” is a service offered with County IT outsource partner Peraton. What can you do at the Tech Bar? 

  • Get computer accessories (e.g. mouse and keyboard) and spare parts for a quick fix. 

  • Ask general questions about how do something on Outlook or VPN.

  • Have issues addressed related to software installs, WiFi connections, drive mappings, VPN, or Kronos. 

  • Get a loaner laptop for an on-the-spot swap if your device needs more extensive service.

  • Pick up an item ordered through the catalog.

The pilot will run at the COC three days a week from Nov. 2 through Dec. 2.

The Tech Bar is based on feedback received in the County’s IT Customer Satisfaction Survey. It’s open to all County employees who prefer to meet with an experienced IT technician in a welcoming environment for fast in-person service. 

This service will not replace the regular Service Desk but adds another option for routine technology issues. If it looks like your matter will take more than 30 minutes, they’ll open a ticket for you and direct it to the appropriate Peraton staff. Please do not contact the Service Desk for Tech Bar support.

You can drop in or make an appointment. Those with appointments will be served first.  Check in or make appointment online (available starting Nov. 2) or at kiosk at the Tech Bar. Appointments are 30 minutes, one session per person a day.

If the pilot is successful, the County hopes to expand the service in the coming year. We are hopeful this new support model will improve your satisfaction with IT and increase your productivity

Tech Bar Location and Hours

San Diego County Operations Center (COC)

5560 Overland Avenue, Room 172*

Nov. 2 – Dec. 2, 2021

Tuesdays – Wednesdays – Thursdays

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

*On Nov. 17 and 18, the Tech Bar will operate from 5500 Overland Avenue, Room 120.

If you have any questions, please contact David Lindsay at the Technology Office at David.lindsay@sdcounty.ca.gov or find him on Teams.

Have a Safe Halloween at Work and Home

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The Sheriff’s Security Assessment Team wants to remind employees to have a safe Halloween at work and at home with a few simple tips.

  • If employees are in costume, make sure you still verify your identity when entering secured County facilities.

  • All wigs and costumes should be fire resistant.

  • When trick or treating at night, children should wear reflective gear if possible.

  • When walking through neighborhoods, put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk – don’t run – across the street.

Get more information to help keep you safe at work on the employee security page, and check back often for updates.

So, There’s an Office of Equity and Racial Justice. Great! What Now?

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By the Office of Equity and Racial Justice 

The newly established Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) has hit the ground running to develop and implement several Board initiatives and priorities, and to fulfill the mission and vision that were created for the Office through extensive community feedback. We are looking forward to engaging and working with County staff, residents, and equity and racial justice advocates to successfully progress on the journey toward reaching these goals and hope that you will follow along as OERJ features this work on InSite in the months to follow. 

For now, here is just a snippet of what we’re up to:  

There is plenty more to come from the Office of Equity and Racial Justice in the future, and of course our success won’t be possible without all of YOU and the work that you do to ensure that all County residents are equitably healthy, safe and thriving. 

See Your Donations at Work

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Join the tradition of giving. Become a contributor to the County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) during its fall campaign that kicks off this month.

Donating to CECO has a huge impact on the communities that we work and live in. As the charitable arm of the County that is employee-managed and volunteered-based, CECO has distributed more than $7 million to local nonprofit programs and County employees experiencing a financial crisis since forming in 1956.

Just this year, $128,271 in grants were awarded to 86 nonprofit programs. Charitable organizations receiving grants included Alzheimer’s San Diego, Blind Community Center of San Diego, Coastal Roots Farm, Crisis House, Developmental Services Continuum, MANA de San Diego, NAMI San Diego, Solutions for Change and Union of Pan Asian Communities.

See your donations at work.

The Chicano Federation of San Diego County received a grant for home improvement equipment.

The Emilio Nares Foundation, which provides free transportation to medical treatments and other free family support programs to underserved children with cancer, received a grant for a new laptop.

Elizabeth Hospice received a grant for audio equipment for their veterans programs.

Southwestern College Foundation received a grant for a portable sink.

Resounding Joy, a nonprofit music therapy organization, received a grant for musical instruments.

Altrusa Club of Chula Vista received a grant for children’s books.

Bayside Community Center received a grant for gardening supplies.

Kitchen for Good, a nonprofit which prepares people with barriers to employment for work in the culinary and hospitality industries, received a grant for kitchen appliances.

North County Lifeline, whose mission is to build self-reliance for youth, adult and families, received a grant for recreational equipment.

Foundation Matthew 633, which offers food assistance through food distribution and a pantry, received a grant for a freezer.

Promises2Kids, a nonprofit for current and former foster youth in San Diego County, received a grant for school support care packages.

MANA de San Diego, a nonprofit which empowers latinas through education, leadership development, community service and advocacy, received a grant for calculators.

See CECO pledge instructions or reach out to your CECO Department Representative or sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov for any questions.