All across the western hemisphere November 1st marked the first day of the two day celebration honoring the dead.
In Mexico, Día de los Muertos is a national holiday celebrated by building gorgeous private altars adorned with flowers to remember loved ones who have died. Haitians honor the dead through typical voodoo practices while in Peru, many flocked to cemeteries to pay their respects.
No matter the practice, this year Día de los Muertos was celebrated beautifully.
Madam Fuentes keeps vigil beside her parents’ grave, marking the Day of the Dead holiday at the cemetery in San Gregorio, Mexico, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. The holiday honors the dead on Nov. 1, coinciding with All Saints Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
A woman rests next to the tomb of a relative in the cemetery in San Antonio Aguascalientes, Guatemala, where many converge to honor friends and family who have passed, marking the Day of the Dead holiday, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. The holiday honors the deceased on Nov. 1, coinciding with All Saints Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
OAXACA, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 1: People visits the grave of relatives with flowers and candles during of the Day of the Dead celebrations, in Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico, on November 1, 2012 ( Photo by Claudio Cruz/LatinContent/Getty Images)
OAXACA, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 01: People look at an altair during the celebration of the Day of the Dead on November 1, 2012 in Oaxaca, Mexico. (Photo by Claudio Cruz/LatinContent/Getty Images)
Tanner Newman, 14, adds a photo of his grandfather to a Día de los Muertos altar in Cody Booth’s Spanish class at Kennewick High School, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 in Kennewick, Wash.. The Mexican holiday is also celebrated in other Latin American countries and pays respect to loved ones who have died. (AP Photo/The Tri-City Herald, Kai-Huei Yau)
Loraine Knoch who works at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home erected an altar of all of the people the funeral home has had arrangements for, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 in Brownsville, Texas. This is the first year the funeral home has created a Dia de los Muertos altar. the “Altar of Remembrance” displays photographs of those that were served in 2012. (AP Photo/The Brownsville Herald, Brad Doherty)
A Voodoo believer dressed as a Gede, or spirit, walks in the National Cemetery during Day of the Dead celebrations in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. Day of the Dead honors loved ones who have passed away. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
Beautiful dresses and head pieces were on display at an evening profession in Oaxaca, Mexico celebrating Dia de los Muertos. (Photo Courtesy_Jorden Hirsch).
In Oaxaca, Mexico: a beautiful display of different altars adorned with colorful flowers and sugar skulls in honor of Dia de los Muertos. (Photo Courtesy_Jorden Hirsch)
Candles illuminate graves freshly decorated by family and friends, marking the Day of the Dead holiday at the cemetery in San Gregorio, Mexico, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. The holiday honors the dead on Nov. 1, coinciding with All Saints Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
2012 marked the first year Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles held a Dia de los Muertos celebration. Seen here is a collection of beautiful accents to one of the many altars at the event. (Photo Courtesy_Pocha Peña and Victor Payan)
Lalo Alcaraz, contributor for NBC Latino, took this picture of Dia de los Muertos celebration at Grand Park in Los Angeles earging people to vote in the upcoming election. (Photo Courtesy_Lalo Alcaraz)
Only display in Grand Park was a beautiful altar adorned with flowers, sugar skulls, and candles created by artist Yolanda Gonzalez to honor a lost loved one. (Photo Courtesy_Grand Park)
Victor Payan stands proudly alongside his altar that he created to be on display at Grand Park in downtown LA. (Photo Courtesy_Grand Park)
