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    Celebrate the Day of the Dead with these 15 celebration and memorial scenes
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    Celebrate the Day of the Dead with these 15 celebration and memorial scenes

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    2 minutes, 26 seconds Read

    Photos selected by Quentin Nardi

    Text by Tracy Scott Forson

    The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, a mix of ritual and religion, is a two-day event celebrated from midnight on October 31 to November 2, when Mexican families welcome the souls of their deceased relatives in a celebratory reunion hotness of life. Its roots go back about 3,000 years to the ancient peoples who lived in what is now Mexico. In Mexican culture it is said that you die twice: once when you physically die and again when your name is spoken for the last time.

    This day of the shrine of the dead

    This Day of the Dead shrine contains photos of loved ones, skulls, flowers, candles, corn husks, fruit and drink bottles.

    Byron Hlina, North Carolina, 2018

    Offspring feel closer to their loved ones

    Visiting cemeteries where their deceased relatives are buried helps descendants feel closer to their loved ones on the Day of the Dead.

    Michael Anglin, Texas, 2013

    Ofrenda

    A day of the dead ofrenda (or “offering”) can be displayed on a flat surface or in layers. The items included can represent different ways to remember loved ones. Skull pastries, for example, symbolize death and the sweetness of life.

    Savannah Van Nice, Mexico, 2023

    Man

    It is believed that on the Day of the Dead the realm of the spirit world can pass over to repopulate this world.

    Greg Davis, Mexico, 2019

    parade

    The Day of the Dead dates back to the pre-Hispanic cultures of Mesoamerica and is a combination of Aztec and Spanish traditions.

    Viet Van Tran, Mexico, 2022

    Colorful clothing items

    Painted faces and colorful clothing are Day of the Dead traditions.

    Eric Newnam, California, 2022

    Combination vacation

    The Day of the Dead is believed to be a combination of an Aztec festival of the dead and All Saints Day, which was recognized by the Spanish Catholics who colonized the Americas.

    Austin Beahm, California, 2013

    Family visits cemetery

    On the occasion of the Day of the Dead, family members visit deceased loved ones in a cemetery.

    Jesus Corona, Mexico, 2023

    Night celebrations

    Although it is called “Day of the Dead,” celebrations can last into the night.

    Michael Palma, Mexico, 2012

    It's not a scene from a horror movie

    It's not a scene from a horror movie. Ceramic figurines of skeletons representing the Day of the Dead are sold at a market in Cabo San Lucas.

    Michael Boyce, Mexico, 2015

    2 day celebrations

    During the two-day celebration, family members often clean the graves of their deceased loved ones, decorating the sites with marigolds and candles and often placing ofrendas nearby.

    Michael Palma, Mexico, 2013

    Performers prepare for a parade

    Artists prepare for a parade during Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca.

    Michael Palma, Mexico, 2013

    Honoring deceased relatives

    Honoring deceased relatives is not just reserved for the Day of the Dead. Here, a performer wearing an elaborate headdress and skeletal body paint continues the March commemoration tradition.

    Rodrigo Lodi, Mexico, 2019

    A woman paints her face

    To celebrate the Day of the Dead, a woman paints her face, half of which resembles a skull.

    Dan Gindling, California, 2014

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