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SALT LAKE CITY — The more than 5,000 Utahns who have died from COVID-19 will be honored at the Utah Capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a Dia de los Muertos event.
A memorial display, hosted by the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, will be available for public viewing from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Hall of Governors. During those hours, community members can add photos of their loved ones to the display. The division will also host a remembrance event on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
"Day of the Dead is an opportunity at the state level to really acknowledge the growing diversity of Utah," Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs Director Nubia Peña said. "When you are integrating culture traditions and normalizing the fact that we all live in this state we call home, it also allows for people to see that there is beauty and vibrancy when we recognize and acknowledge each other."
This is the second year in a row a Dia de los Muertos celebration will be held at the state capitol. The event is something Peña hopes becomes a long-term tradition.
Since last November, about 2,000 more Utahns have died from COVID-19. The pandemic disproportionately impacted communities of color across the U.S. In Utah, Latinos have made up 18% of cases despite making up only 15% of the population. Likewise, Pacific Islanders make up 2% of cases but only 1% of the population.
"What's beautiful this is it's not just Latino culture. We have Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black and Latino communities that will represent how, within their own cultures, they honor their loved ones that have passed," Peña said. "It's really for our entire community to find and build community with each other and to connect through that shared experience of loss."
