As estate planning and probate attorneys, we walk alongside families during some of life’s most profound transitions. We help people plan for the future, protect what they’ve built, and ensure their wishes are honored. And when loved ones pass, we guide families through the legal complexities of grief. In this work, we’ve learned that honoring those who have passed is not just about legal documents—it’s about preserving legacy, memory, and love.
This is why the tradition of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, resonates so deeply with us and the work we do.
A Celebration Rooted in Ancient Tradition
Day of the Dead is a vibrant Mexican holiday observed on November 1st and 2nd, though its roots stretch back thousands of years to indigenous Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Aztec, Toltec, and Nahua peoples. These ancient civilizations held a cyclical view of life and death, believing that death was not an ending but a continuation of life’s journey. They dedicated an entire month to honoring the deceased, presided over by the goddess Mictēcacihuātl, known as the Lady of the Dead.
When Spanish colonizers arrived in the 16th century, they brought Catholic traditions including All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd). Rather than disappearing, the indigenous practices blended with these Catholic observances, creating the unique celebration we know today—a beautiful fusion that has survived centuries and continues to evolve.
A Joyful Remembrance
What makes Day of the Dead so special is its approach to death and memory. Unlike somber mourning traditions, this celebration is filled with color, music, food, and joy. Families create ofrendas (altars) in their homes and at gravesites, adorned with marigold flowers, candles, photographs, and the favorite foods and drinks of those who have passed. Sugar skulls, papel picado (decorative paper), and pan de muerto (bread of the dead) fill the spaces where loved ones are remembered.
The belief is that on these days, the spirits of the deceased return to be with their families. The marigold petals create a fragrant path to guide them home. The candles light their way. The offerings of food and drink nourish them for their journey. It’s a time when the veil between worlds grows thin, and love transcends the boundary of mortality.
The Universal Need to Remember
While Day of the Dead is a specifically Mexican and Latin American tradition, the need to honor our deceased loved ones is universal. Every culture has rituals for remembering—whether it’s visiting graves, lighting candles, sharing stories, or maintaining family traditions. These acts of remembrance serve a profound purpose: they keep our loved ones present in our lives and communities.
In our practice, we see this need reflected in the care people take with their estate plans. When clients create wills and trusts, they’re not just distributing assets—they’re expressing values, protecting family members, supporting causes they believe in, and ensuring that their life’s work continues to matter. Every carefully considered bequest, every thoughtful provision, every letter of instruction is an act of love that reaches beyond a lifetime.
Honoring Those We’ve Served
Today, we pause to remember and honor all of the clients we’ve been privileged to serve who have since passed away. Each one trusted us with their most important wishes. Each one shared their stories, their hopes for their families, and their dreams for the legacy they would leave behind.
We think of the grandmother who made sure each grandchild would have help with college. The business owner who ensured his employees would be cared for. The couple who designated funds for the animal shelter where they found their beloved pets. The parent who wrote letters to children to be opened on future milestones. The veteran who shared stories of service as we documented his final wishes.
These weren’t just clients—they were individuals with full, complex lives, and it was an honor to play a small part in their stories.
Living Legacies
The Day of the Dead teaches us that our loved ones live on—not despite our memories of them, but because of those memories. They live on in the traditions they established, the values they instilled, the love they shared, and yes, in the provisions they made for those who would come after them.
As we observe this season of remembrance, we’re reminded why this work matters so deeply. Estate planning isn’t about death—it’s about life, love, and the enduring connections that bind us across time. It’s about ensuring that what we’ve built, the people we’ve loved, and the values we’ve held dear continue to thrive.
To all our clients who have passed: your careful planning, your love for your families, and your trust in us to help honor your wishes will not be forgotten. Like the marigold petals that guide spirits home, your legacies continue to light the way for those you loved.
And to those reading this who are thinking about their own plans: there is deep meaning in taking the time to document your wishes, protect your loved ones, and ensure your values endure. It’s one of the most loving gifts you can give.
