The ofrenda

An ofrenda (offering) is what families prepare for the Day of the Dead to welcome and honour their dead. It holds the food the departed liked best, water, cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, candles, papel picado, pan de muerto and little sugar and chocolate skulls (calaveritas). With it, families invite their loved ones who are no longer here to come back and spend time with them.