"All Soul's Day was likewise popular with the Indians," wrote Father Ignaz Pfefferkorn, Jesuit missionary at Guevavi and Tumacácori from 1761 to 1763.

"On the day of remembrance of the dead the office of the dead was sung and two masses were read.  The altar was then draped in mourning.  In the middle of the church stood a funeral catafalque which was surrounded by lights, thus placing before the Indians the object of the celebration."

"In front of this funeral canopy was spread a large woven palm leaf mat upon which the Indians laid offerings for the consolation of souls in purgatory, as was the custom."  Some brought offerings of peas, beans, corn; others brought pinole (ground dried corn) or posole (dried hominy), tortillas or other "trifles." The offerings were afterwards distributed to the needy, widows, and orphans.  In Mexico City, Pfefferkorn wrote, the Spaniards brought "handsome offerings "which made up a considerable part of the income for the parish priest.  It was the custom then to go from door to door asking for contributions for the souls of the dead.

Current celebrations are not far removed from those described by Pfefferkorn.  Families gather in the cemetery to clean and decorate graves of loved ones.  Although marigolds, cockscomb and daisies are traditional favorites, flowers of every color and kind are used along with coronitas (wreaths) made from paper flowers and ribbons.  Paper flowers of every color adorn the graves.  The cemeteries become colorful gardens, alive with activity.

All Soul's Day is a time to share traditional foods such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead) or to prepare favorite dishes of family members who have died.  Some may place these foods on home altars along with the photographs of the dead, candles and pictures or statues of special saints.  The devout will attend special masses and rosaries.