How to Celebrate the Day of the Dead Holiday

Día de Muertos, (Día de los Muertos) or the Day of the Dead, is a rich tradition that's been a centerpiece of Mexican culture for more than 3,000 years. Ancient indigenous societies of the Aztecs, Toltec and Mayans viewed life as a dream, and in death — an awakening. To honor their ancestors, they held meaningful and symbolic ceremonies, which included creating ofrendas (altars) with elements of earth, fire, water and air. Initially, this took place during the summer months but, by the 16th century, the Spanish influence and Catholic missionaries shifted Día de Muertos to November 1-2 to align with All Souls Day and All Saints Day.

Today, the essence of Día de Muertos embodies the continuum of life. Instead of fearing death, it is recognized, appreciated and celebrated as a part of the cycle of life. Families craft intricate ofrendas, setting the stage for the spirits of their dearly departed to make a fleeting, yet meaningful, return. It honors the bonds we share with our loved ones.

Día de Muertos is not about us mourning our loved ones who passed but hosting and welcoming them back to their earthly home for a short period of time.

The heart and soul of Día de Muertos is the ofrenda, a beautifully curated altar, adorned with memories and symbols dedicated to the dearly departed. They are created with the intention of entertaining and welcoming these spirits. Ofrendas can be assembled anywhere. Many people adorn gravesites, while others transform a sacred spot in their home. You can also connect with local establishments and partake in community ofrendas.

A traditional ofrenda has the four elements:

Earth is represented by crops — pan de muerto (bread of the dead).

Air is represented by the delicate tissue paper of papel picado banners.

A glass of water is left for the dead, because they will be thirsty after making the long journey home.

Fire is represented by lit candles and burning copal represent.

Other important features:

Three levels to represent the underworld (lower area), earth (base) and the spirit world (above).

Sugar skulls to represent the sweetness of life.

Fresh marigolds — the pungent scent will help guide the spirits home.

Make it personal. Place photos of your ancestors in a prominent place. Add a comforting cup of cafecito they loved, their favorite meal or trinkets echoing their hobbies. Place a handwritten letter or make a music playlist. The more it resonates with their essence, the more heartfelt it becomes.

Remember, through your ofrenda, you are inviting your deceased loved ones for a visit. Make the return joyful so that when they return to the spirit world, they will feel fulfilled and happy!

These days, Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated in the latter half of October and early November. You’ll see sugar skulls, face painting, ofrendas, pan de muerto all season as decorations, artwork and retail merchandise. However, the specific dates Nov. 1-2. .

The preparation begins the evening of Oct. 31 (although Día de Muertos has nothing to do with Halloween!) leading into Nov. 1, which is Día de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) or Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels). Think of this day as a heartwarming tribute to the youngest souls, the little angels. Ofrendas during this time often burst with color and are adorned with playful toys and sweet treats, along with the traditional elements. By noon the next day, these tender spirits embark on their return journey to the spirit world.

Nov. 2 honors the lives of adults who have passed.

While this is a broad sketch of the celebrations, remember that the beauty of Día de Muertos lies in its diversity — each region, community and family adds its own personal touch and flair, making each celebration beautifully unique.

One of the most iconic symbols of Día de Muertos is the sugar skull. Also known as calaveras, they are a delightful and meaningful aspect of the tradition. Granulated sugar is mixed with water and meringue powder and pressed into skull-shaped molds. Once hardened, they are adorned with iced frosting, glitter, foil and gems. The sugar relays the sweetness of life, and these fancy calaveras are often trimmed in shiny sequins and glitter. Names of loved ones are written across the forehead and placed at the ofrenda as a way to bond the living with the dead. You’ll never see a scary calavera for Día de Muertos.

The vibrant shades of orange and yellow that light up the marigold flowers, known in Mexico as "flor de muerto," are more than just visually captivating. They hold a deep significance during Día de Muertos. These native blooms have a distinctive musky scent and are essential to ofrendas. They serve as aromatic beacons to guide spirits back home. Cempasúchil doesn’t just add a pop to the decor but is believed to radiate positive energy and block negativity. They are even likened to the sun due to their shape, hue and texture. Cempasúchil reminds us of life's cyclical nature — breathtakingly beautiful at its peak, yet ephemeral, reminding us to savor every moment!

Pan de muertos, which translates as "bread of the dead," is a sweet bread placed on an ofrenda in honor of the deceased. It is light and airy, fragranced with hints of anise and orange zest. Atop this round loaf are fashioned bread pieces resembling bones laid out in a cross formation with a teardrop shape in the center to symbolize sorrow. A light glaze is added for shine. Extra loaves are often baked so families and friends can come together, share stories and savor the bread, making it a delightful bridge between the realms of the living and the departed.

The glow of candles serves more than just an aesthetic purpose. They represent an illuminated path for the spirits to make their way to the land of the living. The flame also represents eternal life and hope. You will often see decorated prayer candles — and sure, even battery-operated tea lights will work. (Note: Never leave lit candles unattended.)

Burning a bit of copal resin for Día de Muertos acts as a spiritual cleanser, purifying the environment, sanctifying the altars and refreshing the souls of the departed. Copal is a type of incense made from tree resin. By blocking negative energies, copal ensures that the space is a safe and serene sanctuary, setting the perfect stage for a harmonious reunion between the living and their beloved departed. The aromatic smoke of copal is believed to purify the area, the altars and the souls of the deceased. It cleanses the space of any negative energies ensuring a peaceful and harmonious environment for the spirits' return.

Face painting is an artful contribution to Dia de Muertos. It is a way of accepting death as part of the cycle of life and not fearing it. You are literally wearing death on your face! In some cases, you’ll see only half the face painted, representing the concept of the living and the dead existing together. Crafting a "calavera" look isn't just about painting a white face with black eye sockets. Artists take great care and pride in selecting colors and designs, often incorporating flowers, vines, crosses and other meaningful patterns. Some are bright and cheery; others are a bit more serious.

When everyone has their face painted, it shows equality. No matter what the age, gender or social status, each person looks similar, highlighting the idea that in death, we are all equal. It evokes a sense of unity and shared humanity.

The story of the monarch butterfly serves as a metaphor for the cycle of life for Día de Muertos. From caterpillar to chrysalis, and then blossoming into a butterfly, it's a journey that mirrors the human soul's believed progression through life, death and the hereafter. These delicate creatures complete their 3,000-mile migration to southwestern Mexico around the time of Día de Muertos. It’s believed they represent the souls of the departed. And because each migration is by a new generation, they must rely on their genes to make their way home, much like us trusting our ancestral instincts.