Casa de Rosado passes out sugar skull kits for Dia de Los Muertos

Rosa Lopez Killips dressed as a Catrina. The Mexican tradition of wearing large hats, fancy clothes and sugar skull face serve as a reminder that we do not carry our wealth with us when passing. One of the ofrendas nominated by the Dia de Los Muertos Advisory Committee honors the life of Rosa who passed away this year. Rosa organized decades of Dia de Los Muertos celebrations in Lansing. – Photo taken at Casa de Rosado

FRIDAY, Oct. 16 — Casa de Rosado is kicking off its yearly Dia de Los Muertos celebration with a sugar skull kit distribution effort. Starting Saturday, a limited number of free kits are available for children at Fiesta Charra, Taqueria El Chaparrito and on the porch at Casa de Rosado. Casa de Rosado will share a sugar skull making and ofrenda video demonstration on its Facebook page.

Sugar skulls are a traditional element of the ofrenda — the home altar that honors a deceased loved one during the time of Dia de Los Muertos.

“Sugar skulls are placed on ofrendas to welcome back the spirits of our ancestors with sweetness,” Casa de Rosado owner Theresa Rosado explained. “Children enjoy making them. It’s a fun tradition to make them and place them on ofrendas.”

Sugar skulls are one of many components of an ofrenda crafted to remember and celebrate a deceased person. Typically, a name is placed on the skull using a tiny strip of foil. In addition to sugar skulls papel picado (cut paper), marigolds, candles, food, drink and photos are used to honor the person and their unique personality.

The kits passed out by Casa de Rosado will include a homemade sugar skull. Additional supplies you will need include craft glue, glitter, royal icing or acrylic paint.

“In the bags, there will be decorations such as jewels, sequins and colorful strips of foil. We hand-mold the sugar skulls; we go through about 50 pounds of sugar each year we do this,” Rosado said.

On Nov. 2, which is the actual date of the Dia de Los Muertos holiday, Casa de Rosado’s Facebook page will host a livestream that will display a number of selected ofrendas from the Lansing community.

“Lighting the ofrendas on the night of Dia de Los Muertos is a really special time,” Rosado said.

Casa de Rosado

Click here to visit them on Facebook

Sugar skull pickup begins Saturday, Oct. 17

204 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing

Fiesta Charra

2706 Lake Lansing Road, Lansing

Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Taqueria El Chaparrito

4832 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing