Growing up, death was something that made me nervous, anxious, and scared. As a child, I never truly wrapped my head around the legacy that people leave behind or how deeply someone can continue to impact our lives even after they are gone. For years, I was reluctant to be in touch with my inner emotions, but through intentional prayer and reflection, I have become more committed to honoring family members who have passed before me. 

One place I unexpectedly found this message was in the Disney movie “Coco”. 

At its heart, “Coco” is a story about family, memory, and the importance of remembering those who came before us. The movie is about a young boy, Miguel, who aspires to become a musician despite his family’s ban on music. This dilemma creates opportunities for growth that help Miguel learn valuable lessons about grief at a young age.  

The song “Remember Me” was featured in the movie on multiple occasions. In this scene, Miguel sings the song to his grandmother. 

This song is meaningful because Coco’s father would sing it to her as a child, and she would think about it after he disappeared. When the family banned music, it took away her memories of her father. When Miguel sings the song to her, it helps her reconnect with memories of her father and reminds viewers that even when time passes, love remains.  

At a vulnerable moment, Miguel is showing a strong sense of purpose. The song serves to provide a deeper connection to family relationships. Through the grieving process, we can gain more profound appreciation for our loved ones. As Catholics, our promise for eternal life helps us to grow deeper with our faith. 

It can be difficult for kids to truly grasp that family members will pass away one day. Miguel is showing hope and compassion to help him to live his grandmother’s legacy forever. His use of music helps to show us that there are a variety of ways to process the death of a loved one. At the end of the movie, Miguel’s grandmother passes away, and the song now has more meaning to him. “Remember Me” has now been passed down through multiple generations, with it now being Miguel’s responsibility to preserve the song’s heritage.  

“Remember me each time you hear a sad guitar.”

This lyric from the song provides an association between our deceased loved ones, and music/symbols that remind us of them. Music/symbols are important throughout the grieving process because they help put together a deeper meaning to the physical existence of our loved one. Associating music/symbols to our loved ones helps us to feel joyful when we see happy memories again. These flashbacks then lead to long-lasting memories that we cherish forever. 

The legacies of our loved ones will always live on. We can show strength, courage, and compassion to those grieving after a loss. Like Miguel, we can use music as an outlet to express our emotions. Through prayer, we are able to grow our faith through times of adversity. Being present and showing understanding to children who are experiencing a loss can be one of the most important ways to empathize with them.  

To learn more about the movie Coco and children’s grief, read our blog post, “Faith in Film: Coco.”

Written By: Greg Campbell | Marketing Intern | Catholic Cemeteries Association