Mexican senators set up colorful altar in celebration of Day of the Dead

The smells of copal incense, which are typical during the traditional Mexican holiday Day of the Dead, run through the hallways of the office of Senator Emilio Gamboa Patrón, where he and his colleagues set up a traditional altar commemorating and honoring loved ones, friends and colleagues who've passed away.

At the top of the altar are photographs of María Angélia Miner de la Concha, the senator's late wife, María del Carmen Guillén Villegas, the mother of the senator's colleague, Juan Lecanda.

At the center of the altar there is also a portrait of Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado, who served as Mexico's president from 1982 – 1988 and who was a close friend of and colleague of Emilio Gamboa.

The altar was decorated with the cempatzuchitl flower (also known as the Aztec marigold), vibrant decorative paper cut into elaborate designs called papel picado, the dead's favorite beverages, fruit, candy and candles. The colorful and lively altars represent a balance between mourning the loss of loved ones, all while celebrating life through music, festivities, food and drinks.