The Day of the Dead in Mexico - Bread of Dead (Pan de Muerto)

In city of Oaxaca, Mexico the local commercial bakery brings in young men from Santo Domingo Comaltepac, "the village of the master bakers" for the occasion, solely to bake massive quantities of these loaves. The Indian Bakers of this valley's surrounding barrios produce three types of bread, each differing by the amount of egg and type of spice used.

The bread can be formed into different shapes and is commonly decorated with sugar. Bread is ALWAYS placed on the altar and not removed until the visit to the cemetery for the soul. A loaf of bread is also traditionally given to visitors who come home during the time of celebration. The must common shape sold in the Mexico City bakeries is round and decorated with a cross in the shape of bones covered with sugar.