Day of the Dead

People celebrate in streets during the Day of the Dead in San Francisco's Mission District, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada, held to honor and communicate with those who have passed into spirit world.

Donated items are seen at a Day of the Dead altar in San Francisco's Mission District, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. It is believed that on the Day of the Dead it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living.

Day of the Dead sugar skulls are seen in San Francisco's Mission District, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. Day of the Dead is a celebration held to honor and communicate with those who have passed into spirit world. It is believed that on the Day of the Dead it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living.

People honor the dead during the Day of the Dead in San Francisco's Mission District, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009.

San Miguel Canoa, Mexico

Flowers decorate the entrance of a house during Day of the Dead celebrations in San Miguel Canoa, central Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Flowers decorate graves at a cemetery during Day of the Dead celebrations in San Miguel Canoa, central Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.

A woman prays in front of an altar in her house during Day of the Dead celebrations in San Miguel Canoa, central Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous cultures. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations for as long as 2,500--3,000 years.

Mexico City

Candles light graves in the San Gregorio cemetery during Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico City, early Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. According to tradition, candles are lit to guide wandering souls back to their families.

Arocutin, Mexico

A woman sits next to a gravesite during Day of the Dead celebrations at the cemetery in Arocutin, Mexico, early Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. According to tradition, candles are lit to guide wandering souls back to their families during Day of the Dead.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

A man performs a Voodoo ritual during Day of the Dead celebrations at the national cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.

A woman takes part in a Voodoo ritual during Day of the Dead celebrations at the national cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.

Lima, Peru

A boy plays in front of a grave during celebrations of the Day of the Dead at the Nueva Esperanza cemetery in Villa Maria, Lima, Peru, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.

El Alto, Bolivia

Two men adorn the grave of a relative with bread loaves during Day of the Dead celebrations at the Villa Ingenio cemetery in El Alto, Bolivia, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009.

Tonacatepeque, El Salvador

People parade in commemoration of the Day of the Dead in Tonacatepeque, on the outskirts of San Salvador, El Salvador, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.

People parade in commemoration of the Day of the Dead in Tonacatepeque, on the outskirts of San Salvador, El Salvador, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.