Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 2nd in Panama, is a touching tradition that reflects the Panamanian people's deep respect for their ancestors and the continuity of family bonds beyond death. From early morning, families head to cemeteries carrying fresh flowers — especially chrysanthemums and daisies —, candles, wreaths, and often food that was the deceased's favorite. Cemeteries transform into community gathering spaces where stories, laughter, and tears are shared while graves are cleaned and decorated. In the rural areas of Azuero and Veraguas, the tradition is lived with particular intensity, with collective prayers, processions, and songs. Some indigenous communities maintain their own ancestral ceremonies honoring the dead. It is a day that blends the sacred with the everyday, where grief transforms into a celebration of memory and shared life.