How Rituals Help Us Process Grief (The Science of…)

We explore Día de los Muertos as a ritual that fosters community, gives meaning to loss, and helps us process grief while connecting through shared joy.

Summary: We examine how Día de los Muertos rituals strengthen family bonds and cultural identity, and learn about their evolution from a 3,000-year-old custom to a global celebration. We look at key elements like the ofrenda and explore how commercialization – like Mattel's Day of the Dead Barbie – raises questions about the balance between tradition and modern influences.

Guest: Michelle Telléz is an associate professor of Mexican American studies at Arizona State University.
Learn more about Michelle:

Guest: Mathew Sandoval, aka “Dr. Muerte,” an artist and associate professor at Arizona State University. He is a leading expert on Día de los Muertos.
Learn more about Mathew: mathewsandoval.com

Transcript: