How to Make a Dia de Los Muertos Altar
Let me show you how to honor loved ones who are no longer on this Earth by creating a Día de Muertos altar. This step-by-step guide is perfect for beginners and reflects the way this Mexican girl has lovingly built her altar for years.
Dia de Los Muertos Altar for Beginners
If this is your first time building an altar de muertos, don’t worry because I’m going to share a simple step by step guide.
You’ll be able to celebrate the life and spirit of your loved one and learn how to personalize it in a way that’ll feels special to you and your family.
This article is extensive so do click on the table of contents if you want to skip around.
What is Dia de Los Muertos
Día de Los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is a pre-Hispanic tradition that’s been celebrated for at least 3,000 years by the many indigenous people of what is now Mexico.
As of 2008, it was officially recognized as part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
At its heart and roots, Día de Muertos is a joyful remembrance and celebration. It’s a time when we believe the souls of our beloved departed are allowed to return for a visit. Rather than mourning death, we celebrate life and the enduring bond to our traditions and ancestors.
The native people of the Mexican lands didn’t view death as an end, but rather a passage into the ongoing journey of life.
When is Day of The Dead Celebrated
Religious modern-day Día de Muertos celebrations last for three days from October 31st through November 3rd. But modern-day celebrations can begin before then, below are the important dates.
- October 31st: Remembering children who have passed away
- November 1st: Honoring deceased adults
- November 2nd: A mass and ceremony is held for all souls (this was an addition by the Spanish Catholic influence)
Do All Mexicans Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos
I am 100% Mexican (born here too!) but just like many families around Mexico, mine didn’t grow up with the altar-building tradition. My Catholic family did observe the holiday, but in a different way.
My parents used to take us to the cemetery, and we would also attend mass. But that was pretty much the extent of our Día de Muertos celebration.
As an adult, I started building altars and celebrating this special holiday. For me, it’s immensely therapeutic for coping with the death of loved ones. And that’s why I love to share what I’ve learned with others.
New to altar-making? This is the perfect place to begin your Día de los Muertos journey.
How is Dia de Muertos Celebrated in Mexico
In addition to visiting the cementeries and cleaning loved one’s graves, families across Mexico build altars (or ofrendas) at home to help guide the spirits back for their annual visit.
Altars are deeply personal and vary by region and by the indigenous traditions of the people who live there. Elements like altar levels, decorations, symbolism, family customs, and personal touches make each altar one of a kind.
Some altars have two or three levels, or even up to seven. Each level represents a different spiritual plane. But for your first altar, start small and simple, focusing on what holds personal meaning for you.
💡Altars can be created for one person or for multiple loved ones. It’s all about who you wish to remember.
What to Put on a Día de los Muertos Altar
Every Día de Los Muertos altar has items placed on it that are meant as an ofrenda or offering for the spirit. These items play an important role and all represent a special significance.
Below are the most traditional elements but you don’t need to include everything on the list, instead choose items that speak to you — keep it simple, heartfelt, and full of meaning.
- A photograph of your loved one is always placed at the highest point of the altar
- Marigold flowers or cempasúchil because their strong scent helps guide spirits home
- Candles to light the way
- Papel picado representing celebrations and wind
- Religious or spiritual symbols like crosses, saints, and candles
- Personal items and mementos like jewelry, work tools, letters, toys or keepsakes of the deceased
- Salt to represent the spirit’s purity
- A glass of water to quench the spirit’s thirst
- Favorite foods and drinks because it’s believed the souls will be hungry and thirsty after their journey. Pan de muerto, tamales, mole, desserts, and drinks like soft drinks or adult beverages are used.
- Seasonal fruits like apples, pumpkins, oranges, guavas etc…
- Some also include a bar of soap, water, a towel, and a mirror in case the spirit wants to wash up.
- Sugar skulls or amaranth or chocolate skulls: They are called calaveras and they’re meant to represent that life and death can also be sweet.
- Ears of corn are placed by some because the holiday coincides with Mexico’s most important and sacred crop and harvest.
The Four Elements of a Day of The Dead Altar
Every altar should include the four elements of nature: earth, wind, water, and fire. They represent the connection between life, death, and the natural world. Keep it simple with your first altar.
- Earth is represented in the fruits, flowers, seeds, grains, and food offerings.
- Wind is represented by the decorative paper or papel picado.
- Water by a glass of water which is placed to quench the spirits thirst after the long journey.
- Fire is present in the candles and the copal which is a type of incense.
Beginners Step-by-Step: How to Make a Dia de Los Muertos Altar
- Pick a spot to create your altar. You can use a small table or shelf.
- Decide how many levels. For beginners I suggest sticking with one or two altar levels.
- Cover the surface with a cloth or fabric of your choice. A simple white cloth is fine or whatever you have on hand.
- Arrange papel picado around the surface or on the wall where your altar will be.
- Place the photo in the center and highest position. If multiple photos, arrange around the surface.
- Add the items from the suggested elements above, like the special mementos, food and drinks, marigold flowers and petals, and anything else you’d like.
- Include the four elements by placing water, candles or incense, and other decorations you’d like.
- Once everything is added to your altar, light the candles and incense. Keeping a close eye and not leaving the lit items unattended.
💡Remember to keep it personal and what feels right to you, there isn’t just one single “right” way to decorate an altar de muertos.
How Long Should You Keep a Dia de Muertos Altar Up?
Traditions vary from family to family as well as regional differences. But many people start building on the 31st of October. Those remembering pets will start on the 26th of October.
It’s believed that on November 3rd and 4th all souls depart, and so it’s also when people start taking down their altars.
I like to keep my altar up until the 4th of November.
🐾Honoring our Beloved Pets on Dia de Los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos isn’t’ only for honoring human loved ones, it’s also a time to remember or faithful animal companions who’ve crossed The Rainbow Bridge.
In Mexico, pets also have their own special Day of The Dead celebrations on October 27th. It’s believed that on this day their little spirits return to visit us.
I always include my little fur babies who have crossed over. I incorporate much of the ofrenda guidelines for my loved ones, into the pet’s ofrenda.
For your pets place their photos, collars, tags, favorite toys, small offering of water and their favorite food and treats. I like to also represent them with pet figurines decorated with Dia de Muerto themes.
Honoring my pets brings me comfort and keeps their memory, spirit, and their unconditional love alive.
After all, Día de los Muertos is about celebrating all the souls who filled our lives with love and joy. Whether they had two or four legs, were furry or feathered, we can honor them all.
**PLEASE Remember that some flowers are toxic to pets. So if you have pets at home do be extra careful with the flowers you use!**
Day of The Dead Altar Ideas for Small Spaces
Don’t think that you need a large space to make a Day of The Dead altar. You can live in a small apartment or have a small space and still build an altar de muertos.
Here are some beginner altar ideas for small spaces — all of which I’ve personally used!
- Use a bookshelf or any table as your base.
- Keep the altar to one level only.
- Use small-sized candles, dishes, photographs, mementos, and other elements.
- Use battery candles for fire safety.
- If using, place the papel picado as your base instead of the white cloth or tape it to the wall or bookshelf sides.
- Use a small box to create an elevated surface for the photograph of the loved one.
- Focus on including personal items that have special meaning to you instead of things you don’t have.
- Work with what you have, small living spaces don’t need extra clutter.
Why Building a Dia de los Muertos Altar is Therapeutic
Building a Día de Los Muertos altar has always been therapeutic for me. It’s not just the cultural tradition, it’s a deeply healing act.
The Day of the Dead celebrations fall inline quite nicely with my own personal and spiritual believes. These two together have helped me cope with immense losses of my loved ones.
Each time I build an altar, I can always feel my loved one’s energy surrounding me just a bit stronger. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and helps with processing the grief and gratituted at the same time.
If you’ve lost someone dear, I highly recommend making an altar. Making even a small altar can bring you comfort. It’s also a way of saying, “You’re still with me and I’m always connected to you.”
Thank you for stopping by and for reading this very long post. I hope that you too can honor your loved ones in your own special way. Have a beautiful day and inspirational Día de Muertos.
What to Eat and Cook for Dia De Los Muertos
Below are some traditional foods eaten during the Day of the Dead celebrations.
- Pan de muerto
- Calabaza en Tacha or Candied Mexican Pumpkin
- Tamales like red or green salsa, Jalapeño & Cheese or Pibipollo from the Yucatan.
- Mexican hot chocolate
- Day of The Dead Cookies
- Puerquitos or Marranitos cookies
- Atole such as guava or strawberry flavored
Amazon Links for Day of The Dead Elements
Whether this is your first altar or you’re a pro, I suggest using what you already have at home. I often get asked where I bought my Dia de Muertos decorations, so I put together this collection of more traditional and modern elements. You’ll find them all on my Amazon store front.
Nancy Lopez is a Mexican-born food writer and author of Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Raised in the U.S. and now living in Southern Mexico, she creates authentic vegan and vegetarian Mexican recipes rooted in tradition and tested for real home kitchens.Read more…
