Day of the Dead Altar ideas

Originally published on November 2, 2017 | Updated October 30, 2025

Get inspired with these Day of the Dead altar ideas you can easily make at home to honor your deceased loved ones — or even your pets. Celebrate Día de los Muertos by creating a colorful and meaningful altar (ofrenda) filled with traditional elements and personal touches.

As the years go by, my list of loved ones in heaven has grown. In their honor, I celebrate this beautiful Mexican tradition with my children so they can learn about our roots and the meaning of Día de los Muertos.

Every year we make a small altar at home, or at least light a candle in memory of our loved ones.

These beautiful Day of the Dead altars were part of an exhibition at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas.

Day of the Dead Altar Ideas from the Latino Cultural Center

When I was a child, we used to visit the cemetery every year to clean and decorate the tombs of our loved ones with flowers. My grandmother would take us to visit relatives and friends, teaching us to honor their memory with love and respect.

As a little girl, I didn’t know my great-grandmother, but I loved going to the cemetery during this Mexican holiday — not just because school was closed, but because I could buy fresh sugar cane and traditional candies sold outside the gates.

Today, the list of loved ones I remember has grown. I think of them every time I hear a song they liked, cook their favorite food, or look at old photos. They are always in my heart.

Every Día de los Muertos, we build a home altar and share stories about the loved ones who are no longer with us, keeping their memory alive for the next generation.

Traditional Elements of a Day of the Dead Altar (Ofrenda)

• Photo of the person honored: Place it at the top of the altar. If there are multiple loved ones, add their photos on each level. You can also make a decorative frame with paper or foam.
• Favorite foods: Include dishes they loved — like entomatadas, mole, or tamales. Add fruit to symbolize the abundance of life.
• Favorite drink: Offer their favorite beverage such as Coke, beer, pulque, or tequila — or even homemade tepache.
• Pan de Muerto: This sweet bread, decorated to resemble bones, is an essential part of every ofrenda.
• Candles: They light the way for spirits to return. Jar candles are safest for altars filled with paper decorations.
• Cempasúchil flowers (marigolds): Their bright orange color and strong scent help guide souls back to the world of the living.
• Sugar skulls: Decorated with colorful icing and names, they symbolize the sweetness of life and the cycle of death.
• Cross: Often made of flowers or salt, it represents faith and spiritual protection.
• Papel Picado: Colorful cut-out paper banners that add a festive touch and represent the fragility of life.
• Personal items: Include objects that represent their hobbies or passions — toys, books, or tools.
• Salt and water: Water refreshes the spirits after their journey, while salt purifies and protects them.

Creating a Day of the Dead altar is a beautiful way to remember our loved ones and celebrate their lives through color, light, and love. Whether big or small, your altar will be a meaningful expression of remembrance and tradition.

More Day of the Dead Ideas

• How to make papel picado (with video and free printable)
• Champurrado Recipe
• Literary Skulls (Calaveritas Literarias)
• Chocolate Marshmallow Skulls
• See my home altar from past years

The Day of the Dead altar can be as simple or as elaborate as you want — what truly matters is honoring our loved ones and preserving our beautiful Mexican traditions.

💀 How do you celebrate the Day of the Dead? Share your favorite traditions in the comments!