Dia de los Muertos is upon us, and this year The News Tribune set out to create a communal space to celebrate and honor our readers’ beloved ones who have passed on.

Dia de los Muertos is a lively and colorful celebration that originated in Mexico but has made its way to many parts of the United States, including Washington state.

For most Americans, the death of a loved one is associated with grief and mourning, but for many Latinos, Dia de los Muertos is a subversion of that expectation.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional and Indigenous celebration that honors and welcomes those who have died back to the physical world between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2.

The celebration begins on Oct. 27 when beloved pets that have passed on return to visit for 24 hours. The celebration continues on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. The first day of November is known as All Saints’ Day, when the souls of deceased children can join their families. On the second day, the spirits of adults rejoin their families for 24 hours.

The News Tribune’s first digital Dia de los Muertos altar

We invited readers to share the names and photos of relatives, friends and/or pets, along with a message or memory.

We received several submissions both in Spanish and in English. We invite you to click through our digital ofrenda (below) to read the messages their loved ones submitted.