ideas for day of the dead Altar

I’m sharing some ideas for Day of the Dead Altar that you can make at home to honor your deceased loved ones or even your pets.

My list of dead people has been growing, in honor of them I celebrate this day, teaching my children about this tradition. These lovely Altars were part of an exhibition at Latino Cultural Center in Dallas.

IDEAS FOR DAY OF THE DAY ALTAR

LATINO CULTURAL CENTER EXHIBIT

Altar: Delia and Liliana Palacios Photo: Brenda Cisneros

Every year, in my house we used to go to the cemetery to clean the tomb and decorate it with flowers.  When I was a girl we would only visit my great-grandmother and then my grandmother would take us on a tour of the pantheon to “visit” the graves of other friends.

Altar: Pedro Perez Photo: Brenda Cisneros

I was very young and I didn’t met my great-grandmother so what I expected most that day (besides not having to go to school poruqe is a holiday) was to go buy sugar cane and candy outside the cemetery.

Altar: Funeral González Photo: Brenda Cisneros

Unfortunately, over time the list of totes has grown in my family and friends, every day I remember them with great affection. I remember them when I listen to some song, when I cook a meal they liked, when I see their pictures. There is no day that I don’t think of them.

Altar: “Faithful Companions” Photo: Brenda Cisneros

On the Day of the Dead we usually build an Altar and I tell my children about this tradition. We also tell them stories about the loved ones who have already left us.

Altar: Montessori School Photo: Brenda Cisneros

My little muertitos are buried in several pantheons in Monterrey, so when we go there and you can, we visit them, but as I tell you, we remember them every time.

We went to visit the LCC Day of the Dead festival. I really enjoy attending these kinds of events so that my children learn the traditions of my country, Mexico.

This occasion there were altars of the Day of the Dead, decoration of sugar skulls, crafts and activities for children, art exhibition, cartoons, face painting, etc.

Altar: Pedro Linares López Photo: Brenda Cisneros

As you may know, the altar of the dead is also called Ofrenda, is a Mexican tradition in which we honor our loved ones who have already passed away.

Altar: Pedro Linares López Photo: Brenda Cisneros

The Altar is decorated with photographs, papel picado, candles, flowers of cempasúchil and some favorite objects of our little muertitos. You can also place their favorite meal or drink.

More ideas to observe the day of the dead

• How to make chopped paper with video and printable.
• Champurrado Recipe
• Literary Skulls
• Chocolate Skulls
• My altar from a few years ago

Altar: Delia and Liliana Palacios Photo: Brenda Cisneros 

The altar of the dead has certain characteristics, but you can make it as elaborate or as simple as you prefer, the important thing is not to forget about our loved ones and maintain the traditions.

What do you think of the altars of the dead? How do you celebrate this day?