242. Building Family Identity Through Dia De Los Muertos

How to Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos as a Family (and Why You Should)

Every year around this time, Chris and Melissa share one of their favorite family traditions — celebrating Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. What started years ago as an invitation to a friend's backyard gathering has turned into a cherished Family Brand tradition that connects their kids to their heritage in the most fun and meaningful way.

In this episode, Chris and Melissa unpack why Dia De Los Muertos is so powerful, how it has evolved in their home, and why they believe every family can benefit from celebrating it — no matter your background. Far beyond face paint or costumes, this holiday is about remembering those who came before us, honoring their legacy, and helping our children understand where they come from.

Melissa shares research from the article "The Stories That Bind Us," which reveals that kids who know about their family history are more resilient, grounded, and confident. Chris adds that Dia De Los Muertos has become their built-in reminder each year to tell those stories, building both identity and belonging for their children.

They walk through practical ways to celebrate — from hosting a full neighborhood party with a food potluck and an ofrenda (altar) to something as simple as sharing popcorn and stories about a grandparent at home. Whether you want to go all-out or keep it small, this episode will leave you inspired to make it your own and create a tradition that helps your family feel more connected, seen, and rooted.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Links For This Episode:

• Movie- Disney's 'Coco': https://movies.disney.com/coco

• Article - "The Stories that Bind Us" by Bruce Feiler: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/the-family-stories-that-bind-us-this-life.html

• Dia De Los Muertos Invitation: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFQjqjuXGo/N4wG0U-JXTTSBCdohrtjUw/edit?utm_content=DAFQjqjuXGo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Intro: Why Dia De Los Muertos matters to the Family Brand
• 01:00 – What is Dia De Los Muertos and how the Pages started celebrating
• 02:00 – The meaning behind the holiday: honoring heritage and ancestors
• 03:00 – The science of family history: "The Stories That Bind Us" study
• 04:00 – Why knowing family stories builds resilience and identity in kids
• 05:00 – How Chris and Melissa adapted the tradition for their own family
• 06:00 – Hosting your first Dia De Los Muertos gathering
• 07:00 – Setting up an ofrenda like in the movie Coco
• 08:00 – Bringing food that represents your family's heritage
• 09:00 – Inviting kids to share stories about relatives and ancestors
• 10:00 – Why storytelling and tradition make this night unforgettable
• 11:00 – Making it simple: popcorn, photos, and one meaningful story
• 12:00 – Turning small moments into powerful family connections
• 13:00 – Creative ideas: Canva invites, neighborhood gatherings, or movie nights