Author: Jessica Smithers

The Davis Cemetery District is committed to doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Our staff are working hard to keep all service equipment cleaned and sanitized.

 

On an annual basis, the Davis Cemetery District holds a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on our grounds. This celebration is one of the last Mesoamerican indigenous influenced rituals, honoring mother earth and all ancestors. This celebration is part of an effort to create a community, a sense of belonging, and global awareness of cultural richness in our multicultural society. The Dia de Los Muertos celebration includes a variety of artists and performers, as well as a collective altar honoring all ancestors. This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to contribute to the public alter. Everyone is encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and enjoy the day.

Due to COVID-19, the District has made the difficult decision to modify this year’s celebration, keeping health and safety our highest priority.

2020 Dia de los Muertos Event Information

Friday, October 30th through Monday, November 2nd

• Informational signage will be placed along our eastern internal roadway, just north of the memorial fountain.
• A public altar will be set up outside the administration building for viewing. We also welcome contributions to the altar.
• Local Artist, Judy Catambay will be painting a temporary public plaza mural that can be viewed throughout the weekend. More information about this mural can be found below.
• Fresh marigolds will be available for the public to take to honor their loved ones, Sunday and Monday from 4 – 7pm.

Ven a honrar a los antepasados y seres queridos, que han cruzado al mundo de los espíritus.

#Plan4Resilience

Judy Catambay will be painting a temporary public plaza at the Davis Cemetery District and Arboretum on the corner of Pole Line and Eighth Street for the Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, as part of a public art project called #Plan4Resilience. In #Plan4Resilience, artists are asked what we can learn from the pandemic and what lessons we can carry into the future to build resilience for future challenges, including the climate crisis. #Plan4Resilience artists create temporary pavement paintings in parks and plazas to honor public holidays and lift our spirits while reflecting on long-term resilience.

Judy Catambay is a local artist and art teacher working in ceramics, mixed-media painting, and street murals. The pavement mural for Dia De Los Muertos is especially meaningful to Judy after the recent passing of her mother. She explains, “It’s a way to honor her life. The vision for the mural will be inspired by her legacy of kindness and perseverance. These are the qualities we need for resiliency in the future.”

#Plan4Resilience is funded, in part, by a generous grant from the City of Davis Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.

Are you looking for something do you with your kids, while maintaining social distance from others?

Since March 2020, the District has seen an increase in the number of families visiting the cemetery grounds. We have developed a 10 stop scavenger hunt as a way to support healthy outdoor activities for children and families.

The scavenger hunt is designed to educate children about the history of our cemetery. We invite you to print the scavenger hunt here or visit our office Monday – Friday from 8 am to 3 pm to pick up a hard copy.

Once you complete the scavenger hunt, feel free to stop by the main office to pick up a prize.

Looking for other outdoor activities? Visit our 10 things to do page here.

 

 

Due to COVID-19, the District has made the decision to modify this year’s celebration, keeping health and safety our highest priority. A public altar will be set up for viewing and contribution Friday, October 30th through Sunday, November 1st. Informational signage has been created and will be displayed along our turf to help educate those who visit the cemetery.

Ven a honrar a los antepasados y seres queridos, que han cruzado al mundo de los espíritus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you interested in giving back to our community?

Are you interested in serving as a community outreach event partner, helping to plan annual outreach events? 

Do you enjoy gardening and working outdoors?

Are you looking to obtain volunteer hours?

Do you want to learn more about the historic Davis Cemetery District?

If you answered yes to any other of these questions, the Davis Cemetery is the right place for you! Whether you’re an avid gardener looking for a place to display your work, a high school student looking for an extracurricular activity, or a community member looking to obtain community service hours, the Davis Cemetery welcomes you to volunteer year-round.

For more information regarding volunteer opportunities, please complete the form below or email jess@daviscemetery.org.

 

Due to COVID-19, the District has made the difficult decision to modify this year’s celebration, keeping health and safety our highest priority.

While we will not be hosting a formal Veterans Day program, the Davis Scouting groups have graciously volunteered to help honor our Veterans by placing flags. Individual flags, along with our internal roadway flags will be placed Wednesday, November 11th, and removed Thursday, November 12th.

Family and friends of loved ones can order a holiday wreath to be placed on a grave or displayed at your home. 22″ fresh Noble Fir wreath will be sold for $25 each. All proceeds will go to the continuous care and restoration of our beautiful cemetery. Orders will be accepted while supplies last.

 

For those looking for another way to recognize a loved one during the holiday season, we can place a solar lantern, suspended from a shepherd’s hook, graveside through the month of December. Lanterns are $25 each and will be moved after January 1st.

 

Orders can be placed by calling (530) 756-7807 or emailing jess@daviscemetery.org or judy@daviscemetery.org

 

2019 Event Details

11:30am Altar Viewing and Pan Dulce

12:00pm Danza by Adelita Serena and Kalpulli Tlayolotl

12:30pm Calling Ancestors

1:00pm Mariachi Puente and Mariachi Del Valle

Ven honrar a los antepasados y seres queridos, que se han cruzado al mundo de los espiritus, en este aminado evento comunitario con Danza Mexica, arte, poesia, chocolate con pan dulce, y musica.

Come honor ancestors and loved ones who have crossed into the spirit world at this lively community event with Danza Mexica, art, poetry, chocolate with pan dulce, and music. Altars will be displayed.

Family and friends of loved ones buried at the Davis Cemetery can order a special potted plant to be placed on their gravesites this Easter.

Each arrangement will feature a hand-painted Easter egg pot complete with lilies and carnations. These cheerful seasonal blooms are a symbol of friendship and true love for those who cannot be with us. Arrangements will be placed on the graves on April 1st.

Proceeds from the project will go to the continuous care and restoration of the historic community cemetery at 820 Pole Line Road.

Easter pots will cost $15.00 each or two for $20.00 and may be purchased by check, cash, or credit card.  

We will begin taking orders March 4th until all pots have been sold. Orders may be placed by email at jess@daviscemetery.org or by phone at 530-756-7807.