Life Death Dinner

Día de los Muertos Community Table

At the second annual Life Death Dinner, guests joined Death Doula and Chef Teri Portugal for an evening centered on remembrance, storytelling, and shared nourishment, inspired by the traditions of Día de los Muertos and the spirit of Death Over Dinner.

Sacred Gathering:

The evening began with a heartfelt welcome into the community space, honoring the belief that during Día de los Muertos the boundary between worlds grows thin. Guests arrived with offerings such as photographs, flowers, notes, and small tokens of love to place on the communal ofrenda, which was adorned with candles and marigolds.

A Feast of Memory:

Chef Teri created a lovingly prepared meal intended as both nourishment and offering, inviting guests to slow down, savor each bite, and remember. Around the table, participants gathered to honor ancestors, share stories, and reflect on death as a natural and meaningful part of life’s cycle.

Highlights

Collective Remembrance: Guests added personal items to the ofrenda, weaving a shared tapestry of memory and honoring loved ones who have passed.
Guided Reflection: Through gentle conversation and storytelling, participants explored grief, love, and ancestral connection.
Community Connection: The evening nurtured belonging and support, reminding everyone that remembrance holds life, and grief holds love.

About Chef and Death Doula, Teri Portugal

Teri Portugal is an End-of-Life Practitioner and educator who creates sacred, compassionate spaces for individuals and families moving through the final stages of life. With more than 30 years of experience as a chef and entrepreneur, she combines her culinary background with holistic end-of-life care, offering guidance in green burial practices and home funeral support. Her project, Life Death Dinner, brings shared meals and open dialogue about death together, fostering connection and healing. Teri’s mission is to help ensure that every person experiences a dignified, meaningful transition surrounded by love and understanding.

Spiritual event in Todos Santos