A bittersweet memory has left people in tears after a woman rediscovered a video of her cat, who passed away last year just days after positioning himself front and center on her Día de los Muertos ofrenda.
In the rediscovered clip, Bay Area resident Maria Flores captured the moment Rio the cat was sitting peacefully in the middle of the ofrenda, a sacred space traditionally used 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 gained over 9.3 million views as Flores realized her cat “picked his spot on the ofrenda” last year.
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“I lost him two days after that video was taken. I came across it a few days after he passed away and was left wondering whether he sensed it was happening,” Flores told 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.'”
Pictures of Rio the cat from last year, sitting on the ofrenda. The owner rediscovered the heartwarming video while setting up for this year’s Día de los Muertos.
@mary.fl0res/TikTok
An ofrenda is a traditional altar created during Día de los Muertos, a time when it’s believed the souls of the deceased return to visit their families. Altars are adorned with photos, mementos, candles, and marigolds to guide the spirits home and celebrate the life and legacy of those who have passed.
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The emotional moment prompted reactions online from people across cultures who shared their reactions in the comments.
“Stop it right now, I’m sobbing,” said Andrea. GroovyGalz wrote: “I’m crying. Your culture is unbelievably beautiful, and I appreciate it and you so much.”
Lainie said: “I love seeing these ofrenda videos—brings me to tears every time.”
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“Aw, I really like the idea of ofrenda,” said viewer Julia.
For Flores, Rio’s memory and his presence in her life, continue to live on as she prepares her altar for this year’s Día de los Muertos.
She was amazed by the response online, too. “I’m overwhelmed by the amount of love the video has received,” she said. “Reading that it has inspired so many others, even outside of the culture, to create something similar for their loved ones has been truly moving.”
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