Hector did not disappear when Coco died because his memory was successfully preserved by Miguel and subsequently, the rest of the Rivera family. The film Coco establishes that a spirit only ceases to exist in the Land of the Dead when there is no one left in the living world to remember them.
The Power of Memory in the Land of the Dead
In the vibrant world of Coco, the afterlife is sustained by the memories of the living. Spirits in the Land of the Dead can only continue to exist as long as they are remembered by their family members. This concept is central to the film's plot, particularly for Hector:
- The First Death: This occurs when a person's physical body dies in the living world, leading them to the Land of the Dead.
- The Final Death: This is the true end for a spirit. It happens when no one in the living world remembers them, causing their spirit to fade away permanently.
Miguel's Crucial Role in Saving Hector
Before Coco's passing, Hector was on the verge of experiencing the Final Death because Coco, his last remaining relative who remembered him, was very old and frail, and her memory was fading. However, Miguel's actions directly prevented this:
- Rekindling Coco's Memories: Miguel returned to the living world and, through his music and stories, was able to jog Coco's memory of her father, Hector. He sang "Remember Me," the song Hector had written for her, and reminded her of their bond and his love. This act revived Coco's precious memories of Hector, even as she was nearing the end of her life.
- Sharing Hector's Legacy with the Family: More importantly, at the conclusion of the film, Miguel ensured that Hector's spirit would remain alive in the hearts of his entire family. He achieved this by revealing the truth about Hector's life, his love for music, and the injustice he suffered at the hands of Ernesto de la Cruz. This newfound understanding and acceptance meant that the entire Rivera family, not just Coco, began to remember Hector. They embraced his music, his story, and his place within their lineage.
Even after Coco's eventual passing, Hector's memory continued to thrive through the generations of the Rivera family who now knew and cherished his story. This collective remembrance by many individuals in the living world safeguarded Hector from the Final Death, allowing him to continue existing and celebrating with his family in the Land of the Dead.
