The ritual involves building altars at home, decorated with marigolds (cempoalxochitl), and pan de muerto, a special bread made only during that time and for that occasion, candy skulls, atole, tequila or mezcal, photographs of the deceased, toys for the children, and mementos that belonged to the deceased. It is not a morbid or grotesque celebration as many believe, but a time for families and communities to come together and remember their loved ones.
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