Join us for an extraordinary celebration of Día de los Muertos at Historic Congressional Cemetery. In collaboration with special guest and Capitol Hill resident, Rosa Moreno, and Death Doula-in-Residence, Laura Lyster-Mensh, we will transform the chapel in the center of our grounds into a place of learning, remembrance, community gathering, and celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”

Día de los Muertos is a tradition that honors loved ones who have passed, celebrating the ongoing bond between the living and the dead. Millions in Mexico, Latin America, and beyond celebrate by creating colorful ofrendas (altars) with photos, flowers, food, and mementos to welcome spirits back to the earthly world. Many also gather in cemeteries or at festivals to share music, meals, and remembrance in a joyful celebration of life.

Now in its second year, Congressional Cemetery’s Día de los Muertos celebration invites the public to join us on Sunday, November 2 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the historic chapel to collectively build a large-scale ofrenda honoring our departed loved ones.

As Rosa Moreno shares, “Day of the Dead is one of my favorite holidays because we get to set aside a day to celebrate our loved ones that have passed. It’s a festive celebration full of life and joy”.

Everyone is welcome to bring photos of departed loved ones, some of their favorite foods, mementos, flowers (fresh or dried), and/or other cherished artifacts from their lives. You can also make something on-site during the event. We will have a variety of hands-on crafts and activities for all ages, including decorating sugar skulls and crafting paper flowers. You can add your creations to the ofrenda during the event and take them home afterward as a keepsake.  In celebrating the people and things they loved, we will share stories about those who are gone, learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos and similar customs around the world, and join the community around remembrance and celebration.

All are welcome to this all ages event. Accessibility information is detailed below about how to access the cemetery grounds. Visitors are encouraged to collect their items before departing the event; please note that items left behind will be respectfully recycled or donated following the event.

Are you joining us? CLICK HERE to RSVP. You will receive a reminder a few days before November 2.

Want to learn more? 

• What is an ofrenda? CLICK HERE
• PBS News Hour: What is Día de los Muertos? An expert explains the holiday celebrating loved ones who have died

This free community event is made possible by the Congressional Cemetery’s nonprofit, The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery. Donations to the Association are welcomed, they help us open the grounds for these impactful gatherings and serve our goal in offering death education and awareness activities at our historic cemetery, “DC’s Greatest Undertaking”!

Accessibility

The path to the Chapel is paved with stone pavers that are accessible to wheelchairs. Historic Congressional Chapel, where the event will take place, is roughly a 5-minute walk from our front gate. Golf cart transport is available upon request, please email Kurt Deion at Kdeion@congressionalcemetery.org. We request at least 24 hours notice to ensure accommodation.

Please note that most paved walkways are ADA accessible, but the historic cemetery grounds throughout the cemetery often have uneven ground. Please exercise caution when moving through the cemetery off the paved pathways.

Covid Mitigation 

While we do not require folks to wear a mask, guests are welcome to mask up should they require one.

Seating

In addition to pew seating within the Chapel, there will be seating available outside at tables for craft activities.

Bathrooms

In addition to the bathrooms on the back side of our garage near the front gate, there will be an ADA portable toilet located near the Chapel.

Questions? Please contact staff@congressionalcemetery.org for any event related questions.