Lost rituals, lasting grief: Study looks at pandemic's toll on Latino families in Arizona
A Día de los Muertos ofrenda, or alter, on display at the Polytechnic campus. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a meaningful time celebrated Nov. 1–2 when family and friends gather to honor and remember loved ones who have died.
But during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Latino families in Arizona were unable to participate in this tradition and other vital rituals — since gatherings, including funerals, were limited or postponed and travel was restricted.
Arizona State University Assistant Professor Rafael Martinez was part of a team who studied the connection between funerals and mental health among Latino adults and found that these disruptions had serious consequences.
Funerals and related cultural practices — such as same-day burials, nine days of prayer and Día de los Muertos ceremonies — offer important opportunities to grieve, receive social support and begin the emotional process of recovery from a loss.
When families couldn’t have the funerals they were accustomed to, anxiety increased, well-being declined and alcohol use rose, according to the study. With Arizona being home to the nation's fourth-largest Hispanic population, that meant that a lot of people were impacted.
On the other hand, the research found that when funerals met cultural and personal expectations amid pandemic restrictions, mental health outcomes were far better.
We spoke with Martinez to learn more about the study.
Note: Answers have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Question: Let’s start with an understanding of how the Latino culture celebrates the lives of those they have lost. What does a Latino funeral typically involve?
Answer: In LatinxA gender-neutral or nonbinary alternative to "Latino" or "Latina." cultures, funerals are deeply meaningful and often rich with tradition. They’re not just about mourning a loss; they’re about honoring a life. A typical Latinx funeral might include a velorio (wake), novenario (nine days of prayer) and a burial that happens quickly, often within 24 hours of death. These rituals are communal and spiritual, bringing together family and friends to pray, share stories and support one another.
There’s a strong emphasis on presence, being physically there to say goodbye, to touch the casket, to hug loved ones. That physical closeness is part of the healing. Funerals are also a way to show respect and give the deceased a dignified farewell. For many Latinx families, it’s not just a ceremony; it’s a sacred responsibility.
Q: Beyond funerals, what other rituals or practices help Latino communities process grief?
A: Funerals are just one part of a broader tapestry of rituals. Latinx communities often engage in novenarios, rosarios and memorial masses. These are spiritual practices that extend the mourning period and offer continued space for reflection and connection. They’re often held in homes or churches and involve prayer, candles and storytelling.
There are also calendric rituals like Día de los Muertos, which is a beautiful example of how Latinx culture blends grief with celebration. These practices help people stay connected to their loved ones long after they’ve passed. They offer comfort, continuity and a sense that the departed are still part of the family’s story.
Q: How does Día de los Muertos provide another opportunity to honor loved ones?
A: Día de los Muertos is a vibrant, joyful celebration of life and memory. It’s not about mourning; it’s about remembering with love. Families build ofrendas (altars) filled with photos, candles, marigolds and favorite foods of the deceased. It’s a way to invite their spirits back for a visit, to share stories and to feel their presence again.
Q: Why are funerals such a significant cultural ritual for Latino communities? Based on your study, what was the impact of the disruption of these traditions on the mental health of Latino individuals?
A: Funerals are a cornerstone of Latinx grieving. They’re a way to say goodbye, to gather support and to begin healing. When the pandemic hit, many families couldn’t attend funerals in person; some had to rely on Zoom or missed them entirely. That disruption had real consequences.
Our study found that it wasn’t just about attending; it was about how satisfied people felt with the funeral. Those who felt the ceremony honored their loved one reported better mental health — less anxiety, less grief and even lower alcohol use. When those rituals were disrupted, it complicated the grieving process and left people feeling isolated and unresolved. It showed us that honoring cultural rituals isn’t just tradition; it’s a form of emotional care.
Another unexpected insight was how first-generation immigrants were less likely to attend funerals in person. That’s likely due to travel restrictions, but it also highlights how transnational grief can be especially painful when families are separated by borders.
Q: What inspired the study?
A: The inspiration came from seeing how deeply the pandemic affected Latinx communities, not just physically, but emotionally and culturally. Arizona has a large Latinx population, many of whom faced barriers to attending funerals due to documentation status or financial hardship. Our research team wanted to understand how those disruptions impacted mental health.
Q: Were there additional social, economic or political factors that worsened their grief or suffering during this time?
A: Absolutely. Latinx communities faced a perfect storm of stressors: economic hardship, lack of health insurance, anti-immigrant policies and higher exposure to COVID-19. These factors compounded the grief and made it harder to access support.
For undocumented immigrants, the inability to travel to their home countries to attend funerals added another layer of pain. And for many, the fear of deportation or discrimination in health care settings made it difficult to seek help. Grief didn’t happen in a vacuum; it was shaped by systemic inequities.
Q: Do you think the higher rates of COVID-19 deaths among Latino made these disruptions more harmful than in other populations?
A: Yes, the data supports that. Latinx individuals were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 deaths. That meant more people were grieving, often without the cultural tools they rely on to process loss. When you combine high rates of loss with limited access to rituals, the emotional toll is immense.
Q: What should policymakers, health care providers or funeral service professionals do differently to better support Latino families in future crises?
A: These findings are a call to action. Arizona has one of the largest Latinx populations in the country, yet bereavement support is often lacking. Policymakers should consider mandating bereavement leave, especially for low-income and undocumented workers. That time is essential for healing.
Health care providers and funeral professionals need to understand the cultural importance of rituals. Offering flexible, affordable and culturally sensitive funeral services can make a huge difference. And mental health professionals should incorporate grief rituals into their care plans. Supporting Latinx families means honoring their traditions — not just treating their symptoms.
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