Día de los Muertos, a day dedicated to dearly departed ones, hold a variety of traditions that families do together.

It is a sacred and joyous time that happens from October 31 to November 2. Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a sacred and festive event filled with traditions.

Customs vary by region. Some traditions are fairly simple, like food, flowers, and visiting a deceased family to offer prayers. But some are more well-known than others.

Here are some Día de los Muertos traditions for the spirits of deceased loved ones in the afterlife:

Ofrendas

One of the central traditions on the Day of the Dead is the ofrenda. It is an individualized ritual altar found at homes, cemeteries, and churches.

According to Family Search, these altars include photos, possessions of the deceased, candles, flowers, and others. It even includes toys for little angels (los angelitos). These altars are used to welcome the dead during the three-day event, welcoming them with food and drinks.

As the National Geographic noted, these ofrendas aren't meant for worshipping the dead. Instead, they are meant to celebrate loved ones who passed away.

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