Francia Garcia Hernandez/Block Club ChicagoIsabel Hernandez’s elaborate ofrenda is a tradition going back years. It honors dozens of Pilsen neighbors’ family members and pets who have died.
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PILSEN — Pilsen resident Isabel Hernandez has yet again created an ofrenda honoring the neighborhood’s lost loved ones for this year’s Dia de los Muertos celebration.
During the traditional Oct. 31-Nov. 2 Mexican holiday, people honor loved ones who have died by building an ofrenda, or altar, and topping it with photos and mementos to invite back their spirits.
This year, Hernandez’s 16-foot-high and 10-foot-wide ofrenda in her yard, 1340 W. 19th St., features photos of 420 people shared by Pilsen neighbors. It also honors 40 pets, including cats, dogs and a rabbit. It includes dozens of candles, flowers, ornaments, food, calaveras (decorative skulls) and catrinas (decorative skeletons).
“I just do it for the neighborhood because I just want to make them happy. And this is the Pilsen altar because it’s for the people who were part of Pilsen,” Hernandez said.
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This year’s theme is symbolic of the “arches loved ones pass on Dia de los Muertos,” she said.
Every detail is well thought out. The purple background represents mourning, and Hernandez printed black and white photos to represent deceased loved ones. Purple and orange lights adorn the ofrenda at night, and several Dia de Muerto and Halloween-themed inflatables fill up her yard with holiday spirit.
In last year’s ofrenda, featuring a massive heart-shaped picture display, she printed the pictures in color to represent the loved ones who “live in our hearts.”
“They were in color because they supposedly returned to life,” Hernandez said. “And this time they’re crossing the arch so there’s no more life, there’s no more color when you die.”
A display honoring pets includes a rainbow arch, resembling the rainbow bridge pets are believed to cross when they pass away.
Hernandez also installed a catrina couple display where visitors can get their picture taken. Last year, visitors kept pouring in until the late hours Nov. 2, coming from across the city, Milwaukee and even France, she said.
Originally from Juarez, Mexico, Hernandez has lived in Pilsen for over 40 years.
Her ofrendas have honored neighbors’ loved ones for years. She comes up with new themes for the elaborate massive displays every year.
It took her three weeks to build this year’s ofrenda, which uses dozens of milk crates and wooden displays she builds herself.
Hernandez is inspired by ofrendas she visited in Mexico City, the decorations, flowers and the vibrant culture of the city — which she brings back to Chicago through her ofrenda.
Some ornaments, crafts and the traditional catrina figures come from Mexico, brought back from Hernandez’s trips south of the border. She buys other decorations locally. These days, she’s able to buy many ornaments online as the Mexican holiday has risen in popularity after being featured in movies like the James Bond film “Spectre” and Disney’s “Coco,” she said.
In the spring and summer months, Hernandez transforms her massive side yard into a gorgeous garden. During Christmas, she decks her house and yard with an impressive display of lights, ornaments and Christmas trees.
Building an ofrenda is a challenge for Hernandez, who has suffered from chronic pain for more than 20 years. In past years, she considered stopping putting up an ofrenda and annual seasonal decorations.
But Hernandez likes to “challenge herself” and push through the pain and obstacles to see her yard look “beautiful” and make neighbors happy.
“I even amaze myself,” she said.
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