At this time of year, homes and businesses put up an altar for loved ones who have passed on. An altar is generally set up in two or more levels, to represent the journey from earth to heaven.
They often feature photos of the deceased, fruits (bananas, apples, mandarin oranges, etc.), roasted peanuts, special bread (called pan de muertos which is made with lots of eggs), chocolate, tamales, water, beer or mezcal, flowers (marigold and cockscomb), skulls, salt, incense (copal), and candles. Also, if there are children among the deceased, some toys might be put on the altar. Everyone decorates their altar differently, so you'll see lots of other foods, drinks or decorations used for altars, especially things that were favorites of the dead who will return.
All of the items on the altar are filled with symbolism. The water purifies, as well as refreshing the souls after a long journey back, the bright flowers with their strong smell and the candles help guide the souls back to earth (one candle is placed for each soul), the smoke from the copal is said to raise prayers to heaven, and the pan de muertos and skulls symbolize the deceased (sugar skulls have a place on top for the deceased's name to be written).
After the festivities, the food from the altar is eaten by the living, as the dead souls can't eat it but can only enjoy its smell. However, it is said that all the flavor is gone from the food since its essence has been consumed by the souls.
In the city of Oaxaca, it seems like not as many private homes put up altars, though many businesses do. However, the tradition of Día de los Muertos is still very strong in the smaller towns around the city, where you'd probably be more likely to find altars in homes.
This was our altar:
Hahaha...I only realized after taking this picture that Adrian had taken a chunk out of one of the breads....
On our altar we had pan de muertos from the baker who comes to sell door-to-door, mandarin oranges from our neighbors' tree, homemade chocolate made by our neighbor, roasted peanuts, some sugar skulls, a chocolate and an amaranth skull, and a few other fruits.
Here are some altars from around the city:
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