Dia De Los Muertos festivities infested Cerritos College on Oct. 28, leaving students with a fresh reverence for the dead.

Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 and concentrates on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have passed on.

The event included a summary of the origin of the “Day of the Dead” and an explanation of why the holiday is celebrated.Various clubs were selling food and beverages.

The event was co-sponsored by the Puente Club and Puente Program at Cerritos College, along with other groups such as La Sociedad de Profesores Hispanos, the History Department, Chicanos for Community Medicine, Project H.O.P.E., Anthropology Club and F.U.E.L.

The Chicanos for Community Medicine were selling candy apples and cupcakes to raise money for conferences at different universities.

“We like to help students entering in the sciences,” stated Ashley Rojas, biology pre-med major, from the Chicanos for Community Medicine. “We also offer tutoring for chemistry, biology, and math.”

“Our goal is to raise the number of latino students in the medical field.” added Carlos Munoz, pre-med major.

The Anthropology club created an altar to facilitate students’ understanding of the origin of the “Day of the Dead”.

Traditions include visiting graves and creating altars with photographs, candles and flowers to honor the deceased. Sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the dead are used as gifts.

Dia De Los Muertos is a holiday that aims to help families accept the death of their loved ones by honoring and remembering them, thus allowing people to relieve sorrow and being to heal.