How to Create a Day of the Dead Altar

For thousands of years, the Mexican people, among other cultures, have celebrated the lives of their honored dead during the public holiday of el Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) on November 1-2. In order to welcome the spirits of the dearly departed during this time, families often create personalized altars in their homes. Regardless of your cultural heritage, creating your own Day of the Dead altar or “ofrendas” (offering) provides a meaningful way to honor and remember your loved ones.

• First, place a few small boxes or plastic storage organizers upside-down on a table to create different levels, making sure the highest level is centered in the back.

• Next, cover your levels with a tablecloth or some fabric you purchase for this project. The traditional Day of the Dead color palette includes: Black (representing death); Orange/Yellow (the Sun); Pink (celebration); Purple (grief); Red (blood); and White (hope).

• If you would like to include a photograph of your deceased loved one, place it on the highest level or in the center of your altar.

• Place objects or memorabilia significant to the deceased — such as meaningful symbols of his/her profession, religious beliefs, life events, etc. — on the various levels/tiers.

• Next, add a beverage, such as a glass of fruit punch, water, soda, wine, beer, coffee, etc., to quench the thirst of the deceased after his/her long journey.

• Place small portions of the deceased’s favorite foods, such as candies, fruit, tamales and tortillas, chocolates, etc. If you feel ambitious, you could also bake some Day of the Dead bread or “Pan de Muerto,” a traditional, slightly sweet bread that typically features death iconography, such as bones, a skull, a skeleton, etc.

• Adding sugar skulls — bold, bright, colorfully decorated human skulls that bear the name of the deceased across the skull’s forehead, written in icing — creates an authentic touch. You can purchase these items around the Day of the Dead holiday, or even make your own sugar skulls (video).

• Place a small bowl of salt on your altar. Symbolizing purification, the salt allows the spirit of the deceased to season your edible offering(s).

• Marigolds or “cempasuchitl” feature prominently in Day of the Dead altars, and you should place them in any available space and/or even create a flower arch over the table. The strong aroma of marigolds helps entice your loved one’s spirit to visit your altar.

• Finally, add candles of all shapes and sizes to complete your altar. If space allows, consider placing four candles on the top tier/level in the shape of a plus sign (+), representing the four cardinal directions, to help your loved one’s spirit navigate to your offering.