SAN ANTONIO — There are dozens of historic cemeteries on San Antonio’s East Side. Preservation efforts are being highlighted during Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.
“Marigolds — very bright and vibrant and beautiful scented flowers to help guide our loved ones back to us,” said Rachel Rettaliata with San Antonio’s Office of Historical Preservation.
Lina Luque moved to San Antonio from Mexico years ago and brought some family traditions with her. They still celebrate Día de los Muertos.
“It’s a tradition that we keep in our family,” said Luque, who is a cemetery steward. “So, our altars are very modest, but we always bring our photos to our mantel.”
Placing pictures of her grandparents on this community ofrenda, or altar, is part of the Day of the Dead celebration. This year, Luque is joining neighbors for a picnic and a movie at the cemetery.
“It’s not a place that we are scared of,” Luque said. “To us, it is a museum, and it’s where people’s loved ones are, so it is very special.”
Rettaliata works at the San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation. As the heritage programs manager, she says they get a lot of interest in cemeteries during spooky season. Hosting a viewing of Disney’s “Coco” there was a way to show residents cemeteries are places of honor to celebrate lives.
“So important that we activate the cemeteries so that the public is in these spaces.” Rettaliata said. “Engaging in this space, understanding the historic importance of the cultural resources here.”
The Eastside Cemetery Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s over 100 acres, across 31 cemeteries with gravesites dating back to the 1850s.
“Our historic cemeteries are really a vibrant record of San Antonio’s history,” Rettaliata said. “And there’s so much that we can learn from these cultural resources.”
As a cemetery steward, Luque says she enjoys helping with cleanups to preserve these sacred spaces.
“And I think these events brings awareness to the cemetery and invites people to come over and celebrate the lives that are here,” Luque said.
Luque said she was excited to bring her family here for this special Día de los Muertos celebration.
“We want to have the public think about the cemeteries as a positive space,” Rettaliata said. “And so, by having Day of the Dead activities, we’re really celebrating life.”