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SALT LAKE CITY — The pandemic has taken away many things this year, among them the ability to mourn lost loved ones the way we used to.
But one Utah organization found a way to keep a tradition that's important for many alive this year.
Inside the Trolley Square mall, the volunteer group Una Mano Amiga designed a Day of the Dead window altar honoring some of those who have died in 2020. The colorful display includes photos of lost loved ones, food, carnations and Dia de Los Muertos posters.
"The altar in general is meant for people that have passed away. And the food, you put it next to the person — their favorite food. For example, my grandmother loved tamales, so you would put tamales, or Day of the Dead bread, or oranges. Whatever the person loved in life," artist Marla Love said.
Some of those pictured in the altar were first responders, some died due to COVID-19, some were killed in crashes.
But they all had one thing in common: Their organs were donated, allowing them to give life to others.
Love's mother, Rocio Mejia, leads Una Mano Amigo and works with Donor Connect, a nonprofit that recovers organs and tissues and connects them to patients in Utah, southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and Elko, Nevada. Family members of those who have donated organs submitted their photos to be used in the Day of the Dead altar.
It can be found on the second floor of Trolley Square not far from the main entrance.
Love's family lost three women this year when other drivers hit them in wrong-way crashes, among them 26-year-old Willow Carver, who died after an elderly woman entered the freeway driving the wrong way on I-215.
Love said Willow "was the sweetest, most amazing woman. She was young, she was vibrant, she was the life partner of my brother. And my brother is heartbroken. And it's a loss that no one wants to bear."
The mural is a chance to remember Willow and the other women the family lost, Love said.
Gov. Gary Herbert signed a proclamation recognizing Nov. 1 and 2 as the Day of the Dead and honoring the holiday's cultural importance. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Sen. Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, each issued their own proclamations or citations also honoring the holiday.
"This is an exciting time to be able to celebrate life, and at the same time acknowledge that there are cycles. And we also mourn the death of many more loved ones," said Escamilla, who was born and raised in Mexico.
"As we face a pandemic in the entire world, it's an opportunity to remind us that life can be very short, but we have opportunities to embrace the beauty of our culture, our heritage, and the richness of diversity. And the Day of the Dead is really about learning of others," she said.
