An “ofrenda” is an altar or offering for the annual Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, and most importantly a way to remember loved ones who have passed. Day of the dead can be celebrated on November 1st and 2nd and has a long history that dates back to more than 3,000 years ago with the Meso-American cultures.

This combination of spiritual symbolism and remembrance makes each ofrenda a meaningful and artistic tribute that blends ancient Aztec beliefs with Catholic traditions.

The word “ofrenda” means “offering,” and it serves as both a memorial and a welcome for the souls of loved ones who have passed away. The belief behind the ofrenda is that once a year, the spirits of the dead return to visit the living, and families prepare altars filled with favorite foods, photos, and items to honor and remember them.

The ofrenda is not about mourning but about celebrating life and love across generations. An ofrenda typically includes several levels, often showcasing the stages of existence: heaven, earth, and the underworld. Some altars have two levels representing the divide between life and death, while others have three or seven.

Each level holds items that carry deep meaning. A photo of the deceased is placed at the top, reminding everyone of the person being honored. Candles are lit to guide the spirits back home, and incense is sometimes burned to cleanse the space.

Bright orange flowers, or marigolds, are scattered on and around the altar because their scent and color are believed to attract spirits. Food and drink, especially traditional dishes like pan de muerto and tamales, are placed on the altar for the souls after their long journey.

Each item on the ofrenda tells a story. Salt represents purification, water quenches the spirit’s thirst, sugar skulls symbolize both death and the sweetness of life, and papel picado, colorful cut tissue paper is often draped around the altar to represent life and the presence of the wind. 

At Paschal High School,the Hispanic Society have organized a shared ofrenda in the foyer to honor the dead pets and loved ones in the panther community. The goal is to learn about and respect them and understand that Día de los Muertos celebrates memory and love rather than grief.

By participating in the ofrenda, students honor and learn that remembering those who have died can be a joyful, healing act. An ofrenda reminds us that death is not an end, but a continuation of the story shared between generations.