How better to remember your departed loved ones than with their favourite food? The Mexicans' Day of the Dead, celebrated on 1 November, is a festive way to commemorate the circle of life.

The Americans have Halloween and the Europeans have All Souls Day but the Mexicans have the Day of the Dead: a celebration of departed souls.

The Day of the Dead dates back to pre-Hispanic times and festivities held during the Aztec month dedicated to children and the dead, the two points on the circle that is the cycle of life.

Following the European colonisation of Mexico, the festivities were eventually moved to coincide with All Saints’ Day and the Evening of All Souls – November 1 and October 31, respectively – celebrated in Europe with visits to the cemetery to pay respects to departed loved ones, and in the US, with Halloween.

It’s a time when Mexicans traditionally visit graves and clean them, set up altars at home and offer things to the dead that they used to enjoy in life (food!). In some rural areas people put on huge celebrations, pave the streets with flowers, light candles and let off fireworks.

The food element is important. There’s a special sweet bread called pan de muerto, baked into the shape of a skull with pastry “bones”. Along with other favourite food items, including sweets, drinks and fruit, the bread is placed on the family ofrenda – the special altar put together for the occasion… but in the evening families do get together and eat sweet bread with Mexican hot chocolate – champurado.

It’s a happy/sad day – most people think of their dead and perhaps put up an altar. It’s a day of colour and festivity, candy skulls for the kids and memories of loved ones. Kids ask for money for their skulls – calaveras – as a kind of trick or treat thing. Day of the Dead flowers include chrysanthemums and marigolds – along with the candles on the ofrenda, these bright flowers will light the way for the dead to return for the night.