How Mexicans Abroad Keep Day of the Dead Traditions Alive
Every year from October 31 to November 2, families in Mexico and around the world celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) — a colorful tradition that honors loved ones who have passed away. For Mexicans abroad, keeping this tradition alive is a way to stay close to family and heritage, no matter the distance.
What is Day of the Dead?
Unlike Halloween, which focuses on spookiness and fright, Day of the Dead is a joyful celebration of life and memory. Families welcome the spirits of loved ones with food, music, and colorful displays.
A brief history of Día de los Muertos
The holiday blends Aztec rituals with Catholic traditions from All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Over time, it has become one of Mexico’s most cherished cultural celebrations, recognized by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage.
How is Day of the Dead celebrated?
- Ofrendas (altars) — Families build altars decorated with photos, candles, marigolds, and food.
- Traditional foods — Pan de muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, and tamales.
- Parades and music — Streets come alive with costumes, music, and dancing.
- Family gatherings — Sharing meals, stories, and time together.
How Mexicans abroad celebrate
From Los Angeles to Madrid, Mexicans abroad build ofrendas in their homes, host community events, and attend cultural festivals. Many also send money home to help families prepare for the festivities, buy food, and decorate altars.
Staying connected: Send money to Mexico, simply and securely
Whether you’re supporting family celebrations, contributing to an altar, or just sending a gift of love, Paysend makes it fast and easy to transfer money directly to bank accounts, cards, or wallets in Mexico. With no hidden fees, you can be sure your support goes further this Día de los Muertos.
Celebrating life, honoring memory
Day of the Dead is proof that love lives on across generations and borders. This year, if you’re sending support home, make it simple and secure with Paysend.
Bài viết mới nhất
Sending money abroad should feel simple, but if your international transfer is delayed or not received, it’s natural to wonder what went wrong.
International money transfers can be delayed, held, or returned for several reasons, most commonly due to compliance checks, missing information, processing cut-off times, or intermediary bank reviews. Industry reporting suggests that while the majority of transfers complete successfully, a small but meaningful share requires manual handling or additional processing, which can cause delays.
It’s important to understand that international money transfers involve multiple institutions, compliance checks, and settlement systems. Because of this, delays or exceptions are not unusual and are typically linked to process or regulatory requirements rather than technical failures or user mistakes.
With that in mind, this guide explains why international transfers may not be received as expected, how often this happens and what you can realistically do next.
Following the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026, Paysend is waiving its transfer fee on money sent to Venezuela for two weeks, from 25 June to July 9 2026, so you can support family and friends without paying a fee. Exchange rates apply as normal, and you'll always see the full cost before you send.
