Dia de Los Muertos

In some Christian traditions, Halloween is simply the opening of a three-day holiday, the Hallowmas. All Hallows' Eve leads to All Hallows', or All Saints' Day. This is a day to remember and celebrate all of those dead who have entered Heaven. At least in the Catholic tradition, the next day, All Souls' Day, is a day to remember and pray for those who died in the faith but have not yet entered Heave (i.e. they are still in Purgatory). In Mexico and some other nations, Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has become a major holiday. Families will often bring favorite foods or other remembrances to loved ones' graves, or they will build small shrines in their homes. There are ceremonies and prayers in the churches, and there is also a generally festive atmosphere with parades, music, and parties. Seaotter71 built a number of scenes for a stop-motion video of Dia de Los Muertos traditions.