In the small village of Santa Cruz La Laguna on the eastern island of Guatemala, a burial is underway. A mix of Mayan and Catholic cultures, the ritual burial is an important part of the local community.

As people pray and offer flowers to the deceased, a soft sound of drums and guitar music fills the air. The music comes from the family members of the deceased, who, along with the village pastor, lead the ceremony.

The deceased lies in a beautiful wooden coffin, covered with flowers and candles. Family members and friends stand around him and pray for his soul. The pastor reads from the Bible and says a prayer for the deceased.

After the ceremony, the coffin is taken to the cemetery, where the deceased will be buried next to other beloved family members. The burial is an emotional moment for the family and friends, but also a time to celebrate and honor what the deceased meant to them.

Santa Cruz La Laguna is one of the many small villages around the beautiful Atitlán lake, located between the volcanoes. These villages are home to a unique mix of Mayan and Catholic cultures, which is also reflected in their ritual burials. As in many parts of Guatemala, burials here are an important part of the local community, with the deceased being remembered and honored by their loved ones.