Families gathered at the municipal cemetery on November 1 and 2 to remember those who have passed, sharing traditions of faith, love, and remembrance.

The municipal cemetery in Playas de Rosarito was filled with color as residents brought flowers and offerings to the graves of their loved ones on November 1 and 2, in observance of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Hundreds of stories of faith and remembrance were reflected in the graves throughout the cemetery. According to Mexican tradition, the souls of the departed return temporarily from the afterlife on these days to reunite with their loved ones.

Among the many stories of love and loss was that of Candelario León, who visited the cemetery to remember his parents, his brother, and his son, Alberto León, who died 14 years ago at the age of 24.

For Don Candelario, the loss of his son remains the greatest pain he has endured.

“Sometimes I tell my mother, ‘Forgive me for not crying for you, but I miss my son so much. I have never cried for anyone as much as I have for my son. He was an angel to me,’” he said through tears.

Although the deaths of his parents and siblings also brought him profound sorrow, he believes there is no greater pain for a parent than losing a child.

Fourteen years have passed, yet he says he still has not come to terms with his son’s death. Even the slightest memory brings him to tears, which he tries to hide behind his dark glasses.

For Don Candelario, remembering his son is not limited to Día de Muertos. Since Alberto’s passing, he has continued to visit his grave regularly.

He recalled that even after his son’s funeral, he spent days, months, and years grieving, and has still not been able to fully accept his loss.

“ He was a baseball player and was invited to compete internationally, but he chose to continue his engineering studies. He had just graduated when he passed away. He had been working for a company for about four months and was excited about building a future for himself.

“He had promised to take me with him to work, just to supervise construction projects, since I am a contractor, so I wouldn’t have to work as hard. He had also brought several other family members into the company. He was a good son, with no vices,” Don Candelario recalled, his voice breaking.

Like his, many other stories of love and hope are remembered among the graves at Rosarito’s municipal cemetery during Día de Muertos, a Mexican tradition recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.