Nov 3, 2015

Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and many other cultures take place on November 1st and 2nd to celebrate the memories of those who have died. Celebrations include elaborate altars created in homes to welcome spirits home, parades, special feasts and parties taking place in cemeteries. Many families leave gifts and decorations such as flowers at the graves family members.

: People dressed as “Catrinas” commemorate Day of the Dead, a holiday that honors the deceased, during a Catrina Fest in Mexico City, Saturday, Oct. 31 2015. The figure of a skeleton wearing an elegant broad-brimmed hat was first done as a satirical engraving by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada sometime between 1910 and his death in 1913. (Esteban Felix/AP photo)

: A man costumed as a zombie with a Mexican sombrero walks past in Mexico City’s main Zocalo plaza, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. People in costumes will stand at the plaza and earn some money as people take photos standing next to them during Day of the Dead and Halloween celebrations. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP photo)

: A man dressed as a zombie performs in the Zombie Walk in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. The annual event was held Monday to commemorate the Day of the Dead. (Silvia Izquierdo/AP photo)

: Revelers pose on Ipanema beach during Day of the Dead festivities on November 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilians often mark the traditional Mexican holiday by visiting loved ones’ graves and sometimes leaving offerings of food or drink. Many revelers came to Ipanema beach during a ‘Zombie Walk’. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

: A reveler poses on Ipanema beach during Day of the Dead festivities on November 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilians often mark the traditional Mexican holiday by visiting loved ones’ graves and sometimes leaving offerings of food or drink. Many revelers came to Ipanema beach during a ‘Zombie Walk’. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

: Revelers pose on Ipanema beach during Day of the Dead festivities on November 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilians often mark the traditional Mexican holiday by visiting loved ones’ graves and sometimes leaving offerings of food or drink. Many revelers came to Ipanema beach during a ‘Zombie Walk’. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

: Wooden body parts left by believers lay next to a cross at the Perpetuo Socorro cemetery during Day of the Dead celebrations in Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. People leave behind items like this as a way to give thanks for what they believe to be answered prayers and as a public testimony of gratitude. (Leo Correa/AP photo)

: Revelers celebrate along Ipanema beach during Day of the Dead festivities on November 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilians often mark the traditional Mexican holiday by visiting loved ones’ graves and sometimes leaving offerings of food or drink. Many revelers came to Ipanema beach during a ‘Zombie Walk’. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

: A reveler marches carrying a doll head during the annual ‘Zombie Walk’ as part of Day of the Dead festivities on November 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilians often mark the traditional Mexican holiday by visiting loved ones’ graves and sometimes leaving offerings of food or drink. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

: Revelers sit along Diabo beach during Day of the Dead festivities on November 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilians often mark the traditional Mexican holiday by visiting loved ones’ graves and sometimes leaving offerings of food or drink. Many revelers came to the area during a ‘Zombie Walk’. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

: A group devoted of Saint GonÁalo dance in front the Perpetuo Socorro church during Day of the Dead celebrations, in Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. The Portuguese saint is usually celebrated with a dance that is offered all the souls. (Leo Correa/AP photo)

: Faithful participate in a candomble ritual of the African Brazilian religion at Botafogo cemetery in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 2, 2015 during the Day of the Dead. (Christophe Simon/Getty Images)

: Offerings during a candomble ritual of the African Brazilian religion at Botafogo cemetery in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 2, 2015 during the Day of the Dead. (Christophe Simon/Getty Images)

: Faithful participate in a ceremony at the San Javier cemetery in the Comuna 13 shantytown in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia during the celebration of All Saints Day, on November 2, 2015. (Raul Arboleda/Getty Images)

: Faithful participate in a ceremony at the San Javier cemetery in the Comuna 13 shantytown in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia during the celebration of All Saints Day, on November 2, 2015. (Raul Arboleda/Getty Images)

: Faithful participate in a ceremony at the San Javier cemetery in the Comuna 13 shantytown in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia during the celebration of All Saints Day, on November 2, 2015. (Raul Arboleda/Getty Images)

: Faithful participate in a ceremony at the San Javier cemetery in the Comuna 13 shantytown in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia during the celebration of All Saints Day, on November 2, 2015. (Raul Arboleda/Getty Images)

: Faithful participate in a ceremony at the San Javier cemetery in the Comuna 13 shantytown in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia during the celebration of All Saints Day, on November 2, 2015. (Raul Arboleda/Getty Images)

: Colombian indigenous women of the Misak ethnic group visit the tombs of relatives at the cemetery in Silvia, department of Cauca, Colombia, on November 1, 2015, during the celebration of All Saints Day. The Misaks are, of the hundred indigenous groups that inhabit Colombia, the ones who have their customs best preserved, including a colorful ceremony of offerings to the dead, closely related to the cult of “Mother Earth” and the New Year. The Day of the Offerings is celebrated between November 1 and 2, when the favorite food of the dead is prepared to receive their spirits and harmonize the territory. (Luis Robayo/Getty Images)

: A Colombian indigenous woman of the Misak ethnic group sits by the grave of a relative at the cemetery in Silvia, department of Cauca, Colombia, on November 1, 2015, during the celebration of All Saints Day. The Misaks are, of the hundred indigenous groups that inhabit Colombia, the ones who have their customs best preserved, including a colorful ceremony of offerings to the dead, closely related to the cult of “Mother Earth” and the New Year. The Day of the Offerings is celebrated between November 1 and 2, when the favorite food of the dead is prepared to receive their spirits and harmonize the territory. (Luis Robayo/Getty Images)

: Colombian indigenous people of the Misak ethnic group walk in Guambia, department of Cauca, Colombia, on November 1, 2015, during the celebration of All Saints Day. The Misaks are, of the hundred indigenous groups that inhabit Colombia, the ones who have their customs best preserved, including a colorful ceremony of offerings to the dead, closely related to the cult of “Mother Earth” and the New Year. The Day of the Offerings is celebrated between November 1 and 2, when the favorite food of the dead is prepared to receive their spirits and harmonize the territory. (Luis Robayo/Getty Images)

: A Colombian indigenous woman of the Misak ethnic group prays by the grave of a relative at the cemetery in Silvia, department of Cauca, Colombia, on November 1, 2015, during the celebration of All Saints Day. The Misaks are, of the hundred indigenous groups that inhabit Colombia, the ones who have their customs best preserved, including a colorful ceremony of offerings to the dead, closely related to the cult of “Mother Earth” and the New Year. The Day of the Offerings is celebrated between November 1 and 2, when the favorite food of the dead is prepared to receive their spirits and harmonize the territory. (Luis Robayo/Getty Images)

: Colombian indigenous people of the Misak ethnic group take part in an offering ceremony at Our Lady of Chiquinquira church in Silvia, department of Cauca, Colombia, on November 1, 2015, during the celebration of All Saints Day. The Misaks are, of the hundred indigenous groups that inhabit Colombia, the ones who have their customs best preserved, including a colorful ceremony of offerings to the dead, closely related to the cult of “Mother Earth” and the New Year. The Day of the Offerings is celebrated between November 1 and 2, when the favorite food of the dead is prepared to receive their spirits and harmonize the territory. (Luis Robayo/Getty Images)

: A Colombian indigenous woman of the Misak ethnic group lights a candle as she takes part in an offering ceremony at Our Lady of Chiquinquira church in Silvia, department of Cauca, Colombia, on November 1, 2015, during the celebration of All Saints Day. The Misaks are, of the hundred indigenous groups that inhabit Colombia, the ones who have their customs best preserved, including a colorful ceremony of offerings to the dead, closely related to the cult of “Mother Earth” and the New Year. The Day of the Offerings is celebrated between November 1 and 2, when the favorite food of the dead is prepared to receive their spirits and harmonize the territory. (Luis Robayo/Getty Images)

: The traditional Tantawawas, bread shaped as children, sits on a grave offered to the deadduring Day of the Dead celebrations at the La Llamita cemetery in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. Day of the Dead traditions coincide with All Saints Day and All Souls Day on Nov. 1 and 2. (Juan Karita/AP photo)

: A man performs a voodoo ritual with a baby at a blackened monument that is believed to be the oldest grave, during ceremonies honoring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede on the Day of the Dead in the National Cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on November 2, 2015. Voodoo believers and devotees offer candles, alcohol and food. The Day of the Dead is celebrated on the first two days of November during All Saints and All Souls Day. (Hector Retamal/Getty Images)

: Voodoo followers take part in ceremonies honoring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede during Day of the Dead in the National Cemetery, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on November 2, 2015. Voodoo believers and devotees offer candles, alcohol and food. The Day of the Dead is celebrated on the first two days of November during All Saints and All Souls Day. (Hector Retamal/Getty Images)

: A woman devotee in the role of a spirit known as a Gede is seen during ceremonies honoring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede on the Day of the Dead in the National Cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on November 2, 2015. Revelers streamed into cemeteries across Haiti bearing beeswax candles, food offerings and bottles of rum infused with hot peppers to mark the country’s annual Voodoo festival of the dead. (Hector Retamal/Getty Images)

: A woman pays tribute to Baron Samdi and the Gede family of spirits during Day of the Dead celebrations at a cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. Day of the Dead traditions coincide with All Saints Day and All Souls Day on Nov. 1 and 2. (Ricardo Arduengo/AP photo)

: Breanna Keirn, 10, has her face painted as she celebrates the Day of the Dead, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event honors Mexican traditions where the dead are honored by their loved ones. (Alan Diaz/AP photo)

: A South Floridian in costume celebrates the Day of the Dead, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event honors Mexican traditions where the dead are honored by their loved ones. (Alan Diaz/AP photo)

: Women dressed in costumes celebrate the Day of the Dead, Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event honors Mexican traditions where the dead are honored by their loved ones. (Alan Diaz/AP photo)

Celebrating the Day of the Dead

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