An art installation of skeletons at an altar assembled by artists for Day of the Dead celebrations at National Autonoma University of Mexico is pictured in Mexico CityReuters
An art installation of skeletons at an altar assembled by artists for Day of the Dead celebrations at National Autonoma University of Mexico is pictured in Mexico CityReutersStudent with face painted as skull takes part in traditional parade called "Paseo de las Animas", or Parade of Souls, in MeridaReutersA man rides a tricycle carrying a replica human skeleton during a night cycling event in Mexico CityReutersA skulls' pyramid altar assembled by artists for Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Autonoma University of Mexico in Mexico CityReutersTwo Mexican youths wearing skeleton masks and standing on stilts speak at Zocalo square in Mexico cityReutersStuffed bear lies on the ground as a woman arranges a fruit during a candlelight vigil for the victims of a fire at a day-care centre in HermosilloReutersPeople in skull masks walk near an altar assembled in homage of people who died of diabetes and obesity in Mexico CityReutersA worker harvests Cempasuchil marigolds for use during Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, in San Pedro CholulaReutersFine arts students wearing make-up and costumes walk over a Catrina chalk drawing in Guadalajara. La Catrina is a popular figure in Mexico known as "The Elegant Skull"ReutersVisitors look at an art installation of a skeleton and skulls at an altar assembled by artists for the Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Autonoma University of Mexico in Mexico CityReutersStudents with their faces painted as skulls take part in traditional parade called "Paseo de las Animas" in MeridaReuters
Mexicans have been visiting the graves of dead relatives leaving offerings of flowers, food and candy skulls to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
Grim but colourful celebrations have taken place across the country. The Day of the Dead is a national holidays and banks, businesses and shops closed to mark it.
Skulls are one of the symbols with many celebrants dressing up as skeletons.
Families gathered together to pray for departed relatives and friends and put the traditional yellow Cempasuchil marigolds on graves.
Many richer Mexicans decorated private altars to the dead with photos and memorabilia as their favourite foods and beverages in homage their souls.
The celebrations coincide with the Catholic All Saints Day but goes back further to old pagan rituals.
The holiday was a much-needed relief for a country wracked by years of a murderous drug war that has seen 60,000 people killed in the last six years.
According to Mexico's National Human Rights Commission, 24,000 people have gone missing since 2000 and there are 16,000 unidentified victims buried across the country.