1. Dia de los Muertos! by: Melody McLaughlin

2. What is Dia de los Muerto? Days to worship those who have passed away because they believe that on Dia de los Muertos the spirits come back to the graves and they want the spirits to be happy. A celebration and a Mexican holiday. Simply to pay respects to the dead. Dia del los Muertos means Day of the Dead.

3. What isn’t Dia de los Muertos? Not a day of evil!! Not a day of sacrifice No witchcraft etc. Not wild or out of control

4. When & Where? It’s a holiday in Mexico. October 31st is the day to remember all of the adults that have passed. November 2nd is the day to remember the children who have passed. (symbol is an angel) The spirits arrive on October 31st and leave on November 2nd

5. Preparation Clean the tombstones a week in advance. Make food for celebration Make alters and place offerings; food in the shapes of skulls and figures, candles, incense, yellow marigolds known as cempazuchitl, and most importantly a photo of the departed soul. The streets leading to the cemetary are filled with decorations, flowers, parades, and calaveras (skulls and skeletons)

6. Dia de los Muertos vs. Halloween Halloween is mostly dressing up, eating candy, and partying. Dia de los Muertos is a celebration in remembrance of those who are gone. Halloween cosist of activities for just children like Trick or Treating. Dia de los Muertos is a celebration/festival for all.