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Setting up an altar for a dead person is a tradition that was born in pre-Hispanic times, right in Mexico, where it is an important custom that is celebrated year after year. However, not everyone knows how long after a person dies an altar can be set up for them.
An altar can be set up for people who die after a year, according to pre-Hispanic tradition, or it can also be done on the Day of the Dead or better known as the Day of the Holy Departed.
What does it mean to set up an altar for people who have already passed away?
People believe that the spirits of their loved ones return from the world of the dead to live with their relatives and thus console them for the sadness left after the loss.
The altar symbolizes life. Altars usually contain elements of typical foods such as rice, mole, squash, as well as seasonal fruits, especially oranges and apples for their natural scent. However, this is usually done in Mexico, not in all countries.
Altars on All Souls’ Day
This celebration takes place every November 2nd, however, on November 1st babies or children who died at an early age are celebrated, it is All Saints’ Day.
In Mexico, it is customary to set up an altar for all the people who have died and offer them food that they liked, objects and customs in the hope that they will enjoy themselves during this date.
However, in other countries such as Honduras, the place where the remains of the deceased rest is simply cleaned and decorated with flowers, either those that the deceased relative liked or those of the personal preference of family and friends.
Altars in Honduras are usually similar to those in Mexico, however, these are usually made the first 9 days after the person dies, then another altar is made 40 days after the death.
After 6 months, an altar is made again and finally, after a year, an altar is decorated again for the deceased relative, according to the customs and places of Honduras.
Every time altars are made, in the Catholic Church they are accustomed to praying for 9 days in a row (a novena), this as an act of mercy towards people, with the hope and desire to also meet God one day.
In commemoration of the faithful departed, the Catholic Church offers Masses and prayers for the eternal rest of those who have gone before us in the hope of resurrection.
Levels of altars
The levels on the altar of the dead represent the worldview, meaning they symbolize life. Different symbolic objects for the culture or religion of the person to whom the altar is dedicated are placed there.
2-tier altars:
They are a representation of the division of heaven and earth, they also symbolize the fruits of the earth, trees and fauna, as well as the benefits of the heavens, such as rain, sun and wind.
3-tier altars:
They represent the earth, the sky and the underworld. Due to European religions, their meaning has changed to two possible ones: they can represent the earth, purgatory and the kingdom of heaven, or the elements of the Holy Trinity.
7-tier altars:
They represent the 7 levels that the soul must go through in order to reach rest and spiritual peace. According to Otomi practice, they represent the 7 deadly sins, which the deceased must have probably gone through.
