Familias Latinas Guide to
Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos is Spanish for "Day of the Dead." Dia de los Muertos is a holiday that originated in Mexico, but similar celebrations take place in many parts of the world. Those who celebrate it believe that the souls of their departed loved ones will return to visit them. It is a joyful occasion for families and close friends to reunite and enjoy music, gifts, and food together, both in body and in spirit. Dia de los Muertos is an annual celebration that takes place over two days, on November 1st and 2nd.

History and Folklore

The traditions of Dia de los Muertos date back almost 3,000 years. The Aztecs, who were some of the earliest ancestors of the Mexican people, believed in many gods, including a god of the dead. The god of the dead was known as Mictlantecuhtli (Mist-lahn-te-cuut-li) and was often depicted as a smiling skeleton. The Aztecs believed that death was a joyous event as it meant that the person's spirit was no longer trapped in the body and could move on to paradise.

During the summer months, the Aztecs would partake in a fascinating celebration of death. The festival was a commemoration of their belief that the soul of a person continues to exist even after their physical body has perished. The use of skull and skeleton symbols was a significant part of the celebration, signifying reverence for the departed. As time progressed, the summer festival was eventually moved to November due to the Catholic celebration of All Saints Day on November 1st.

(Adapted from Stuart-Campbell, M. (2021). Celebrating Día de los Muertos: History, Traditions, and Activities – A Holiday Book for Kids.)

How to make an Ofrenda

Ofrenda means "offering" in Spanish. There are no real rules for what to include in an Ofrenda. An Ofrenda simply needs to reflect the person being welcomed and could include some of the following things:

Photos to celebrate what the loved one looked like in life
Food and Drink to satisfy the hungry and thirsty spirit who has traveled to see their family
A bowl of water, a bar of soap, towel, and mirror to help the spirit clean up after their journey
Personal belongings, such as a favorite toy, doll, piece of jewelry, or instrument, to please the spirit and help them find their way back home
Sugar skulls to represent the person who has passed away and is receiving the offerings

Elements of an Ofrenda

Pan de Muerto

(Bread of the Dead): It is one of most associated foods with Day of the Dead and can vary greatly from region to region. It is often placed on the altar but can also be consumed and dunked in coffee or hot chocolate.

Aqua

The source of life, it is offered to our loved ones for them to quench their thirst after a long journey. In some cultures, it is also a symbol of the soul’s purity and it also functions as one of the essential universal conduits, including the two worlds that are joining in this moment.

Flor de Cempasuchil

Cempasúchil (Zempoalxóchitl) flower has been from prehispanic times the flower that adorns altars, offerings, and ceremonies dedicated to the deceased. Mexica culture believed that this flower of Nahuatl origin, which names means “flower of twenty flowers”, represents the sun that illuminates and makes for a beautiful road for those who come from Mictlán, the underworld.

Sal

This is a purification element and it serves to give stability to the body of our loved one so that it may return safely and come back the following year.

Copal

Tree resin is used as incense and is a symbolic transformation of the physical to the supernatural, associated with the death of the soul returning to the ofrenda.

Papel Picado

Papel Picado’s significance at the altar is not limited to the colorful and decorative aspects that it provides to the ofrenda. Papel Picado represents wind, one of the four main elements that should be present in the ofrenda.

Fotografia

This is one of the most important components to an ofrenda. Ofrendas are offerings we are making to specific people and putting up their picture is the way in which we honor and remember them. These pictures are usually pictures of them doing activities they enjoyed or in which they looked good.

Calaveras

The same as Pan de Muertos, these symbolize the sweetness of life and death. Having sugar skulls at the ofrenda is representative of Mexican culture’s perspective on death, which tries to emphasize that death can be sweet. Sugar skulls are traditionally made of granulated sugar, chocolate, or amaranth and it is customary to have the deceased’s name written on the skull’s forehead to honor them, or have someone else’s name written on it and give it as a gift (children love them!).

Vela

A lit candle symbolizes Fire. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, inhabitants of indigenous cultures did not have wax, so there were no candles. Ancient Mexicans would use strips of Mexican pine, or ocote, instead. Nowadays we use candles in all their forms, but usually "veladoras" or votive candles.

How to Make Sugar Skulls (Calavera de Azúcar)

Ingredients

Betty Crocker™ gel food color
1/4cup meringue powder
6cups granulated sugar
1/3cup water
7 1/2teaspoon meringue powder
6teaspoons water
1pound powdered sugar
Royal Icing
Sugar Skulls (makes 4 medium 3-D skulls)

Steps

Mix the sugar, meringue powder, and water together until all the granules of sugar are wet. Pick up a handful of the mixture and squeeze in your hand. If it holds together, its ready. If it falls apart, it will need a tiny bit more water.
Fill your skull mold with the wet sugar, pressing down on the sugar, and compacting it as you go. Fill both the front and back skull cavities with the sugar. Scrape off the excess sugar.
Cut a piece of parchment paper and a piece of cardboard just a bit bigger than your mold. Set the parchment paper down on top of the mold. Set the cardboard on top of the paper. Grab onto the mold and cardboard, and carefully flip the whole thing upside down. Set it on the counter, then carefully lift the mold up off the sugar skulls. The mold should pop right off. If the sugar sticks, it's too wet. Scrape it out of the mold, clean the mold, and add some more dry sugar to the mixture, and try molding it again. If your sugar skulls do not hold together, the mixture needs more water.
Your sugar skulls now need to dry. Midway through the drying cycle you need to carefully flip them over so the back sides can dry out at well. They should be ready to decorate in 12-24 hours.
Make royal icing. Beat together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until its shiny and will hold stiff peaks.
Once your skulls are dried, spread a thin layer of royal icing on the flat part of the back side of each skull. Press the front and back sides together. Use your finger to wipe off the icing that oozes out from in between the two pieces. Allow the skulls to dry for at least an hour.
After your skulls are dry, they are ready to decorate. Color small bowls full of royal icing using food coloring. If you wont be using the icing right away, be sure to cover each bowl with plastic wrap.
Pipe royal icing onto the skulls. Any simple or elaborate designs. Get as creative as youd like and use lots of bright colors on each skull for a dramatic appearance.
Allow your sugar skulls to dry for several hours before using them as decorations for your Day of the Dead event.