How to Make a Day of the Dead Altar

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A blending of pre-Columbian and Catholic traditions, Day of the Dead altars are tributes to deceased loved ones. You can construct an altar to celebrate the life of someone you lost.

Step 1: Cover the table
Cover the table with cut tissue paper, or papel picado in Spanish, arrange the boxes on the table, also covering them with paper so your altar has 3 tiers. Significant colors for the paper are purple, white, and pink to symbolize pain, hope, and celebration, respectively.

Tip
You can also use a black cloth to cover the table and boxes.

Step 2: Add a photograph
Place a photograph of the person to whom the altar is dedicated on the top tier of the altar, along with pictures of saints that are important to the family.

Tip
Place objects that represent things that the deceased liked in life, as well as personal belongings, on each tier of the altar.

Step 3: Add candles
Adorn your altar with candles made of beeswax or paraffin, in different shapes and sizes, to light the way for the spirits. Place four on the top tier to represent the four cardinal points of the compass.

Step 4: Include skulls
Include toy and candy skulls and skeletons in your decorations. Three skulls on the second tier represent the Holy Trinity.

Step 5: Burn incense
Burn incense -- especially white copal -- to guide the dead to the altar.

Step 6: Include food
Include food on your altar. Traditional Day of the Dead bread, or pan de muerto, is eaten by the dead when they come to visit their loved ones. For adults, put other traditional food on the altar, such as tamales and mole. For children, leave sweets and fruit.

Step 7: Scatter marigolds
Scatter your altar with yellow marigolds to represent life's brevity. Remember and honor your passed loved ones and celebrate their lives every November.

Did You Know?
Mexico City is built on the ruins of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan.