Children remember departed kin on Grandparents Day eve

“Love you Big Nana,” “Love you always, Tata,” “We love and miss you every day,” read some of the messages.

It was the first time Holy Hope Catholic Cemetery, 3535 N. Oracle Road, hosted an event to honor families on Grandparents Day.

“Cemeteries are one of the few places people can come and spend time with multiple generations. It’s a time to come together to remember the lives that were lived and the lives that are being lived,” said Anthony Crespo, executive director of the cemetery.

Families who attended were treated to hot dogs and a performance by a mariachi band. Community agencies also were on hand to provide free fingerprint identification for children, offer health screenings for adults and other services.

“They just wanted the children to come out and share stories about their grandparents and make the cemetery not such a scary place,” said Tahlia Rivera, who was at the event representing St. Elizabeth of Hungary health center.

Mayela Bernal was at the cemetery with her mother, brother, sister-in-law, three daughters and nephew. They were visiting the grave of Bernal’s father, who died a year ago today, one day after his 74th birthday.

They brought a cake and flowers and shared stories. Though they didn’t know about the Grandparents Day event, they welcomed the festivities.

“He loved mariachi,” Bernal said. “He got to celebrate with the mariachi. It was a little party without us planning it.”

Though turnout was low, those in attendance were enthusiastic, Crespo said.

“We want to show the community that the cemetery is not just for burial, but for the living.”