Many different types of flowers can be used in Day of the Dead celebrations, or Dia de los Muerlos, but the flower most commonly used is the marigold, commonly referred to in Nahuatl as cempasúchil, or the "flower of the dead." The most common color of marigolds is orange, but there are also red and yellow varieties. Flowers are placed on altars near graves or headstones in order to honor the dead, remember their existence on Earth, and serve as a reminder of the impermanence of life. Just as flowers grow, bloom, and then eventually die, so do we as humans, and Mexican culture recognizes and pays special attention to the cycle of life in all things.

Day of the Dead celebrations pay homage to this cycle, and it is said that the spirits of the dead return each year in order to celebrate the time that they had on Earth. Mexican folklore tells of tales where angry spirits come back to get revenge on those who do not treat the visiting spirits well during this day.

You can also celebrate Dia de los Muerlos by making pan de los Muertos, which is "bread of the dead," and is a type of hand-rolled flat bread that can be shaped into a skull and crossbones or other shapes. Some people hide a plastic skeleton toy in each loaf that is made, and it is regarded as a sign of good luck for those who happen to bite into it. Candies in the shape of skeletons, skulls, and coffins are common as well on this day.

Those orange flowers are called cempasúchil flowers the Aztecs used to use these flowers to remember their dead. It represents the colors of the earth. It is also said to be guiding the souls of the dead to their proper place.