November 2, All Soul's Day is devoted to departed adults. I n preparation, elaborate altars with foods and offerings are erected. These include pictures of the deceased as well as things they had enjoyed in life. Beautiful sand paintings may also pay homage to the dead loved ones.
Copal incense is burned to help the dead find their way home.
T here is specific tradition in selecting and placing items on the altars, depending on how long ago the loved one died, how old they were when they died, and other factors. However, people in and outside of Mexico do not rigidly impose these traditions, but rather select those that make sense to them.