Thousands of people across the globe paid tribute to deceased loved ones Tuesday by bringing flowers, food and other traditional items to gravesites and cemeteries.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a national holiday.

The celebration takes place on Nov. 1 and 2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls' Day (Nov. 2).

Check out some photos.

People stand amongst graves decorated with flowers and lit candles at a cemetery in Oaxaca November 1, 2011. Each year, Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead by preparing meals and decorating graves of deceased relatives and friends
People stand amongst graves decorated with flowers and lit candles at a cemetery in Oaxaca November 1, 2011. Each year, Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead by preparing meals and decorating graves of deceased relatives and friends Reuters
Andean singers perform in front of a grave during the Day of the Dead celebrations in Nueva Esperanza cemetery in Villa Maria, Lima November 1, 2011. Each year people visit the cemetery, one of Latin America039s largest, to honour the dead
Andean singers perform in front of a grave during the Day of the Dead celebrations in Nueva Esperanza cemetery in Villa Maria, Lima November 1, 2011. Each year people visit the cemetery, one of Latin America's largest, to honour the dead Reuters
The head of a pig with a chilli in its mouth rests on a food stand outside Nueva Esperanza cemetery during the Day of the Dead celebrations in Villa Maria, Lima November 1, 2011.
Representational image Reuters
A man sleeps on the grave of a family member decorated with flowers and lit candles at a cemetery in Oaxaca November 1, 2011.
A man sleeps on the grave of a family member decorated with flowers and lit candles at a cemetery in Oaxaca November 1, 2011. Reuters
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