Day of the Dead Altar Costs Surge by 26%: What You Need to Know

As the Day of the Dead celebrations approach, markets and shops in Mexico are filled with sweets, skulls, candles, dishes, and marigold flowers. This festival, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, is one of the most significant in Mexico, even more so than Halloween on October 31st. While the two holidays have contrasting themes, younger generations are starting to merge them. Day of the Dead honors the deceased, while Halloween is traditionally about warding off ghosts.

This year, the cost of setting up a Day of the Dead altar has risen by 26% compared to 2023, an increase of 374 pesos. On average, the tradition is now expected to cost around 1,809 pesos, compared to 1,235 pesos last year. The president of the National Association of Small Merchants (Anpec), Cuauhtémoc Rivera Rodríguez, has also noted a 24% increase in the price of 'bread of the dead' compared to the previous year.

The altar typically includes foods such as fruits, mole, and tamales, which are expected to cost around 486 pesos. Sugar skulls are priced at 30 pesos, and 'bread of the dead' at 22 pesos. Decorations like cut-out paper, tablecloths, and handmade mats will cost around 430 pesos, while candles are expected to cost 200 pesos and traditional flowers 300 pesos.

Additional costs include visiting the cemetery to clean and decorate graves, which can add between 200 and 300 pesos for family transportation. A cleaning service may also be required, adding an extra 400 pesos. Despite these rising costs, Rivera predicts a bountiful celebration this year as the Mexican economy recovers from the pandemic. He anticipates that while consumption may be moderate, people will still visit the cemeteries.

In related news, Day of the Dead celebrations have boosted local trade in Mexico, displacing "made in China" products. The Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (Profeco) has noted that the prices of each element of the Day of the Dead altar can vary depending on size, portion, or weight. A list of product prices is available in the Consumer Magazine.