Ancestor worship, or veneration, is practiced by a variety of cultures all over the world. There are many ways of honoring departed loved ones and welcoming their support and guidance in everyday life. Having an ancestor altar, or boveda in Spanish, is one of these ways. An ancestor altar is a space used to make offerings to our ancestors so that they are energetically elevated. Elevated spirits can more easily communicate with us, offering us guidance so that we avoid any unnecessary suffering in our lives.

Building an altar is simple. Here are a few guidelines to get you started. You can also find a great description in one of my favorite books, Finding Soul on the Path to Orisa: A West African Spiritual Tradition by Tobe Melora Correal.

Remember to always follow your instincts. That’s your ancestors already guiding you!

1. Table. Dedicate a small table or top of a bookshelf to your altar. It should be out of the way where no one will touch the items on it. My godmother even suggested the top of the refrigerator! It should not be in a bedroom or any room where a man and woman might sleep together.
2. Consecrating Items. Go to a church, botanica, metaphysical bookshop or the like and get or buy holy water. Sprinkle it on the table or shelf. Do the same for the cloth, glass vessels and other items listed below. You can say the Lord’s Prayer or other blessing while doing this. You can also burn Frankincense, a sage stick or a cigar over the space and objects. This will remove any negativity from the items.
3. White Cloth. Cover the surface with a clean, white cloth.
4. Photos & Momentos. On the cloth, place photos of deceased loved ones and mementos that belonged to them. There should be no photos of living people on this altar, but it’s OK to cut a photo so that only your deceased loved one is in it. You can also include a list of the names of loved ones and their dates of birth and passing. This is especially helpful if you do not have photos. Follow your instincts about other items to include. If a small doll or knick-knack calls to you, maybe it belongs on the altar. It’s good to include or hang above the space a crucifix, rosary or other religious item.
5. Water. In the center of the altar, place a glass of water. The glass should be smooth, not etched with designs, etc. If you have room, you could choose to place a small clear glass vase in the center with 9 small juice-glass sized glasses around it. I’ve also seen people use a footed dessert dish in the center and water glasses around the outside.
6. Candles. Dedicate a white candles to your ancestors. As you light it, simply say “This candle is dedicated to my ancestors.” I like using white (unscented) tea lights or other short-lived sizes, but tall glass ones (called seven-day candles) are good, too. The glass should be plain. No photos of saints needed. White is best. If you want added safety, place glass candle in bowl with water. Some people choose to leave candles burning continuously and to dedicate the candles to a particular departed loved one when lighting them.
7. Food & Drink. Dedicate favorite foods or drink to your ancestors. Coffee, rum and candy work well. Often, your ancestors will let you know what they want. Either you’ll feel compelled to give them a certain food or, as happened in our family, the ancestor will appear in a dream asking for a favorite drink. In our case, it was pumpkin empanadas for my grandmother! You can also just go by what you know they liked. My other grandmother loved gladiolas, for example. So, these are the kinds of things I often have on my altar. Remember to say aloud something like: “This cup of coffee is dedicated to my grandfather, (first and last name).”
8. Weekly tending. Replace the water, food and flowers weekly, but remove flowers before they die or wilt and food before it goes moldy. Whatever you decide to offer, you should either make the offerings weekly or save the offerings for special occasions, like birthdays. For example, I make my grandfather his favorite pie on his birthday. You can also include the ancestors in special occasions, like a holiday meal, by filling a small plate with teaspoon-sized servings of each of the food items you will be enjoying during the meal. Offer it on the altar with a small white candle if one isn’t burning there already.
9. Prayers. In addition to the energy found in food, water and candle flames, you should also offer your ancestors spiritual energy in the form of prayers. These are prayers you say to God, the orishas, saints or angels in their name. You can begin by saying: “I offer this prayer in the name of (first and last name).” You can ask that they rest in peace or simply say the Lord’s Prayer or something similar on their behalf.
10. Communication. The intention behind all of these offerings is to elevate the spirits of your departed loved ones. Elevated spirits are then able to use that energy to help and communicate with us. The altar serves as a portal for entry into your life. So, sit next to it, talk to them like you would if they were still here. (They are!) Ask them for help and to send you signs in a form you will understand. Then look for the signs in dreams, on the radio, in ‘chance’ or ‘unexplainable’ occurrences. This is how they let you know they have heard you!

(Updated 12/29/11)