A bittersweet memory has touched many hearts after a woman rediscovered a video of her cat, who passed away last year just days after choosing his place on her Día de los Muertos ofrenda.
In the emotional clip, Bay Area resident Maria Flores captured her cat, Rio, sitting peacefully in the center of the ofrenda—a sacred space traditionally created in Mexican culture to honor and welcome the spirits of deceased loved ones during Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.
The video has garnered over 9.3 million views as Flores reflected on how her cat “picked his spot on the ofrenda” last year. “I lost him two days after that video was taken. I found it a few days after his passing and was left wondering if he sensed what was happening,” Flores shared with Newsweek. “When I showed my friends, who also celebrate Día de los Muertos, they were just as amazed, saying, ‘our visiting family took him with them.’”
An ofrenda is a traditional altar set up during Día de los Muertos, a time when it is believed that the souls of the deceased return to visit their families. These altars are decorated with photos, mementos, candles, and marigolds to guide the spirits home and celebrate the lives of those who have passed.
The heartfelt moment has prompted emotional reactions online, with people from various backgrounds sharing their thoughts in the comments.
“Stop it right now, I’m sobbing,” said Andrea. GroovyGalz commented, “I’m crying. Your culture is unbelievably beautiful, and I appreciate it and you so much.”
Lainie remarked, “I love seeing these ofrenda videos—brings me to tears every time.” Another viewer, Julia, added, “Aw, I really like the idea of ofrenda.”
For Flores, the memory of Rio continues to live on as she prepares her altar for this year’s Día de los Muertos. She expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response the video has received, stating, “I’m amazed by the amount of love the video has garnered. It’s truly moving to read that it has inspired so many others, even outside of our culture, to create something similar for their loved ones.”
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