Halachó During the Days of Finados

An Ethnographic Exploration of Its Cemeteries

Abstract

The study examines the All Souls’ Day commemorations in Halachó, Yucatán, to understand how the funerary practices of U Janal Pixán were transformed after the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that led to the saturation of local cemeteries and altered the handling of bodies. The research aims to document these celebrations, the changes derived from the health emergency, and local perceptions surrounding death and the care of the deceased. The work was carried out through an ethnographic visit during the days of finados, which included participant observation, tours of the two municipal cemeteries, informal interviews, and photographic documentation. Findings highlight the critical saturation of the cemeteries, the new burial dynamics implemented during the pandemic, the role of local specialists, and the persistence of ritual care. Demographic and urban transformations in the town were also observed. Altogether, these commemorations reveal the community’s ability to adapt its practices and keep the memory of its dead alive.