Day of the Dead 2025: How Día de los Muertos Honors Loved Ones with Altars, Food, and Marigolds

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is being celebrated this weekend across Mexico and in many communities worldwide. The tradition honors ancestors and recently deceased loved ones through vibrant altars, flowers, music, and food. The holiday reflects a deep belief in the connection between the living and the dead.

Rooted in Mexican culture and ancient Aztec traditions, the Day of the Dead blends indigenous beliefs with Catholic customs. It serves as a moment of remembrance, celebration, and spiritual connection for families who believe that the souls of their loved ones return for a brief reunion each year.

Origins and Meaning of the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead dates back to pre-Hispanic times, when the Aztecs and other civilizations in Central Mexico honored death as part of the natural cycle of life. According to History.com, skulls were used as symbols to celebrate ancestors for centuries before Spanish colonization.

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they sought to align these indigenous rituals with the Catholic calendar. The celebrations were eventually placed around All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2. Today, November 1 is known as Día de los Angelitos—a day to remember deceased children—while November 2 is Día de los Muertos, honoring adults who have passed away.

Skeleton imagery remains central to the holiday, symbolizing the cycle of life and death. It’s a joyful reminder that death is not an end but a continuation, where the dead return each year like a harvest reborn from the soil.

How Families Celebrate Día de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead is typically a family-centered celebration. Families build ofrendas—home altars decorated with marigolds, candles, and personal mementos—to welcome spirits back. These displays include photos of the departed and offerings of their favorite foods, drinks, or even cigarettes and mezcal.

Gravesites are cleaned and adorned with marigolds, candles, and sugar skulls, while musicians perform songs the deceased once loved. Sugar skulls, or calaveritas, are crafted from sugar, chocolate, or amaranth, continuing a tradition that originated with Aztec offerings of honey-based figures to their gods. The Spanish later introduced sugar, shaping the colorful skulls now seen across Mexico.

Another signature treat is pan de muerto—the “bread of the dead.” The round loaf is sweet, decorated with sugar, and topped with bone-shaped designs, representing the shared link between the living and those who came before.

Cultural Significance and Global Reach

Over time, Día de los Muertos has become a symbol of cultural pride and identity, especially for Mexican and Latin American communities abroad. The holiday celebrates not only the dead but also the enduring connection between generations. Cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Antonio, now host parades and festivals filled with face painting, altars, and traditional performances.

The Day of the Dead was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, recognizing its role in preserving indigenous traditions and strengthening family and community bonds. It continues to inspire global fascination, from art and fashion to films like *Coco*, which popularized its themes of remembrance and family love.

Día de los Muertos remains a vibrant celebration of life, reminding people everywhere that love transcends death and memory keeps the spirit alive.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the meaning of Día de los Muertos?

It’s a Mexican tradition celebrating and honoring deceased loved ones through altars, food, and music. Families believe the spirits return to visit them each year.

Q2: When is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

It takes place on November 1 and November 2 each year, coinciding with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Q3: What foods are eaten during Día de los Muertos?

Traditional foods include pan de muerto (sweet bread), sugar skulls, mole, tamales, and other dishes loved by the deceased.

Q4: Why are marigolds used on Day of the Dead altars?

Marigolds, known as the “flower of the dead,” are believed to guide spirits back to the world of the living with their bright color and scent.

Q5: How is Día de los Muertos different from Halloween?

Halloween focuses on fear and fantasy, while Día de los Muertos celebrates life, love, and remembrance through joyful rituals and family gatherings.

References

Associated Press. (2025). What is Día de los Muertos? Here’s what to know about the Day of the Dead. November 1, 2025.

History.com. (2025). Día de los Muertos History and Traditions. October 2025.

BBC News. (2024). Día de los Muertos: How Mexico celebrates life through death. November 2024.