Rituals and traditions of Día de los Muertos

Disney fans familiar with the movie, Coco may have encountered the popular Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. The central theme of the movie accurately depicts the colors and sentiments behind the celebration, but the Day of the Dead has a deeper cultural and spiritual meaning to those who celebrate it.

Día de los Muertos is a week-long celebration in which families honor their ancestors and other loved ones who have passed away. The festival is a celebration of life and death. The week long celebration includes prayers and other rituals in remembrance of the family member's lives before their death.

During the course of the week, people believe that their loved ones and ancestors who have died would cross over and visit their loved ones. As part of the ritual, families leave their loved one's favorite food and drink, in reembrace.


Garza said the foundation of family is highly valued in Mexican culture, making this holiday important because it helps keep the memory of the dead alive.

During Día de los Muertos, there are specific days reserved for loved ones who come and visit. On Oct. 27, families celebrate their pets who have passed. On Oct. 28, many begin to light the first candle and place a white flower to welcome the lost souls.

On Oct. 29, the next candle is lit, and a glass of water is placed for the lonely and forgotten souls, who do not have family members to remember them.

On Oct. 30, a third candle is lit, and another glass of water is placed along with a piece of bread dedicated to those who passed in tragic or fatal accidents.

On Oct. 31, a fourth candle is lit along with a glass of water and a piece of bread with fruit such as oranges, mandarines, and guavas. This is dedicated to ancestors and children who died and were not baptized.

Nov. 1, also known as Día de los Angelitos, is reserved for children who briefly lived on earth. In the Hispanic culture, it is believed the angelitos are so eager to come to visit their families that they arrive a day before.

The following day on Nov. 2, adult family members and friends who have passed come and visit their altars and families.

People often put up ofrendas along with photos of their family members, children, or pets, their favorite toys, snacks, clothes, trinkets, glasses of water, and food.

A way to set up a Día de los Muertos altar is by placing pictures of those who passed first at the top and going in order as it goes down the shelves.

Other items that are put on altars are cempasúchil, also known as marigolds, flowers, and petals as they are believed to guide the spirits to the altars. White candles are believed to light the way to the spirits, and salt is placed for purification.

Many place pan de muerto, sugar skulls, traditional foods such as mole and tamales, fruits such as oranges, mandarines, jicama, and guavas, and decorate the altar with papel picado.

Altars are typically set up by Oct. 31.

In South Texas, the City of McAllen invited the community to share photos of their loved ones for its annual community ofrenda, which is showcased at the McAllen Convention Center.

Overall, Día de los Muertos is a day of remembrance of those who passed and who left an impact on the living.