I have recently read about a custom celebrated in a small town in Mexico. It is similar to the living Nativity scenes that I have seen in the US, in that there are people inhabiting the scene. It is different in that it is done for the day of the dead (el dia de los muertos).
It is most usually done for those that have died within the past year. A life size Jesus is created and stands behind or slightly over a coffin (either a symbolic coffin – or the real thing) with the name of the deceased and the dates of his birth and death. Then the scene is peopled with children dressed as angels (los angelitos) and one dressed as death holding a scythe. Sometimes there is music or the recording of a mass being played in the sceen. If the person died a violent death it is common for the altar to show representations of his/her death.
This living altar is just one of many ways to celebrate the day of the dead and to show honor and respect for those no longer “living”.
