AUSTIN, Texas — To the Mexican-American community, Dia de los Muertos is a time to celebrate life. But because of COVID-19, this year’s holiday could take a more somber tone as more Latino families find themselves in mourning.

Artist, Maria Eugenia Ramirez Flores is working on a special project that the Mexic-Arte Museum thought was meaningful, especially at this time of the year.

“We were thinking that it’s a good idea to give them honor,” she said. “We want to share to the families who lost their people, to try to remember them.”

Ramirez Flores built an ofrenda, or altar, dedicated to Mexican-Americans who died of COVID. While it has everything that’s traditionally found in an altar, like painted skulls, marigolds and pan de muerto, putting it all together hit differently.

“I was thinking that this disease has a face. You see the news and they’re talking about numbers," Ramirez Flores said. “I realize that when people, and their family came with pictures, I really feel the feeling of those people.”

“I think this is a time of so much hurt for so many," said Texas Medical Association's (TMA) Dr. Kimberly Avila Edwards. "But for the Latino community, the data shows us that they will be disproportionately mourning the loss of loved ones during this season.”

According to the CDC’s most recent report, 55 percent of COVID deaths in Texas are Latinos. Health experts with the TMA blame the lack of health care access, uninsured rates, and pre-existing conditions.

“I think at this point, it must get better," Edwards pressed. "There’s no question about it. I think the inequities and disparities seen from the COVID-19 pandemic has brought needed attention to longstanding issues.”

“My intention is to show people that they’re not alone," Ramirez Flores said as she rearranged the altar. “Even that we’re sad for the situation, we’re happy that our culture could embrace the people.”