Día de los Muertos is a Mexican and South American celebration of deceased loved ones that occurs on November 1-2. It involves decorating family gravesites and homes with items like papel picado, candles, flowers, and ofrendas or offerings of favorite foods and drinks of the departed. Families gather at cemeteries to remember deceased family members through prayers, music, and picnics. Calaveras or skeleton figures depicting the lives and interests of those who have died are also prominent parts of the celebration.

1. Es una celebración en Mexico y Sudamérica.

2. Slide 1
• Customs vary throughout
Mexico
• Most celebrations include:
• Decoration and family
gathering at cemetery
• Special foods
• Ofrendas (offerings) on
altars
• Religious rites and prayers
• Often there are fireworks!

3. Slide 2
In many
regions,
November 1 is
dedicated to
the
remembrance
of deceased
infants and
children.
Adults are honored
November 2

4. slide 3
In mid-October markets begin
displaying items needed for
Día de los Muertos including:
-Skeletons (toys, figurines,
sweets)
-Papel Picado
-Floral wreaths and crosses
-Candles
-Fresh flowers
-cempazuchiles (marigolds)
-barro de obispo
(cockscomb)
Sugar or chocolate skulls and
coffins
Pan de muerto (bread of the

5. slide 4
Calacas
Skeletons are often shown in everyday activities
which depict a dead person’s profession or
interests. The calacas are often placed on altars.
This shows the spirit that he has not been
forgotten.

6. slide 5
Una calaca
una
c______ y
el otro es
c________.

7. slide 6: Es una calaca maestra. Ella señala a la p_________ y los
estudiantes e_____________.

8. slide 7: Papel Picado

9. Floral wreaths and crosses

10. slide 9: Velas (Candles)
Velas producen luz.

11. slide 10 Fresh
Flowers

12. Slide 11: Pan de Muertos

13. Slide 12:
Sugar
Skulls
Children are given sugar
skulls with their names
written on the forehead!

14. Altars in the home

15. Slide 14
*Altars have decorations: papel picado, candles, flowers, photographs of the departed, candy skulls with the
name of the deceased
*Altars have foods and drinks: bottles of beer or tequila, cups of atole (a sweet drink made of milk, sugar, and
corn starch) or coffee, pop (many families will sacrifice to purchase a favorite brand!) and fresh water, as
well as platters of rice, beans, chicken or meat in mole sauce, candied pumpkin or sweet potatoes, fruits
and breads.

16. Spirits return home…there they find many
“goodies” they enjoyed while living
A wash basin and clean towel are placed on
the altar for the spirit to “freshen up” after
a long journey
Favorite foods and drinks
Favorite cigarettes or cigars
Toys and candy for spirits of deceased
children

17. Atole de leche (slide 16)

18. Mole (pronounced mole-ay)

19. Slide 18: Bebidas (drinks)
Un típo de
bebida es un
r____________
______.

20. Tamales

21. 20

22. 21

23. 22

24. The altar… 23
An area of the home is
cleared of furnishings
Floors and walls are
washed
A table is covered with
clean sheets, a blanket,
or tablecloth
Incense is usually burned
Many candles are lit

25. Family members clean tombs and gravestones
Pull weeds
Tombs are painted and repaired if needed
Graves are decorated with flower crosses, wreaths,
or floral arrangements
slide 24

26. slide 25 :
This young
boy has
returned from
the market
with flowers
for the
cemetery.

27. slide 26 : Procession to the
cemetery

28. The army band participates in a local
parade

29. Many towns have parades including
processions on horseback

30. slide 29: A group of músicos entertains
at the cemetery

31. En el cementerio
Family members gather at the cemetery. They bring
picnics and mariachi bands may play favorite songs.
Local restaurants set up food stands. An outdoor church
service is usually held.

32. slide 31: Hay muchas p______________ el el cementerio.

43. Slide 42: Una calaca s_______ f_______ de la chica calaca.

45. Customs Around the World
In the USA, most people avoid
talking about death
Many other cultures around the
world have rituals for
remembering loved ones.
Many other cultures have similar
rituals involving the lighting of
lamps or candles and laying out
food and drinks
Even ancient Egyptians had similar
traditions or remembering loved
ones

46. Images and information taken from
www.mexconnect.com
and www.azcentral.com