How to Make an Ofrenda: What You Need to Know About Día de los Muertos Altars

Dia de los Muertos is one of the most sacred times of the year for some. Of roots in pre-Columbian MexicoDía de los Muertos is celebrated by Mexican, Mexican American and Latin American communities to honor the dead. Although remembering the dead is often associated with sadness and grief, this holiday is a vibrant event that takes place on November 1 and 2.

This year, Dia de los Muertos falls on the same day as the New Moon in Scorpio, making the energy extremely intense. Because Scorpio is the sign of death and transformation, we will experience more visits from the great beyond than normal, allowing us to reflect deeply on the past, those we have lost, and our own mortality. Connecting with spirits will become more accessible due to the thinning of the veil between the physical and metaphysical worlds.

Creating an ofrenda – or altar – for the spirits to come back to Earth is an essential part of the holiday, showing respect and remembrance of your loved ones. These altars also provide them with a safe place to connect with the human world. In her best-selling book Blood Sex Magic: Everyday Magic for the Modern MysticBri Luna from The Hoodwitch explains how to set up an altar at any time of year, but the guide is particularly useful this week.

“Setting up a Día de los Muertos altar is a beautiful way to honor your loved ones who have passed away while celebrating our cultural roots,” says Luna. “The altar, or ofrenda, serves as a welcoming space for the spirits of the deceased. It is a bridge between the living and the dead, allowing us to honor their memory and invite their presence back into our lives for this special celebration. It symbolizes love, memory and the cycle of life.”

Last year my ofrenda specifically honored my grandmother, with whom I had a special relationship. To gain more insight into setting up an ofrenda, I spoke with Luna about best practices. Here’s her – and my own – advice.

How do you make an Ofrenda?

Use personal items

Add photos or other symbols of deceased family and friends to honor their presence. If you don’t have photos, you can write their name on a piece of paper. It’s important to have a specific item that shows who you honor. In addition to photos, you should also include personal belongings or things that were dear to your loved ones.

Add traditional items

Once you have the personal elements of your altar set, there are also traditional items you can add. Marigold flowers, known as cempasúchil, attract deceased souls to the altar. Copal incense is used to attract energy, and foods and treats your loved one has enjoyed will help nourish them and show that you remember small details about them. Speaking of nutritious, make sure you offer a glass or pitcher of water; traveling to Earth can induce thirst!