The doll-shaped dough waiting for its turn in the ovens of Pasco's Panaderia Tecoman will go on a homemade altar to remember Francisco, whose name is written in strawberry jam.

Owners Hector and Sonia Blanco and their employees were hard at work Tuesday creating the pan de muerto families will use to honor and remember their dead.

Today, many Latino households celebrate Da de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which coincides with All Saints' and All Souls' Days on Nov. 1-2.

In Mexico, the holiday is huge, with festivals and visits to family grave sites.

At Panaderia Tecoman, at the corner of 10th Avenue and Lewis Street, some special orders feature the names of loved ones written on top of the sweet bread. Marjorie Wright, who works at the bakery, will have one with her son Cesar Cuevas' name.

In all, Sonia Blanco said the bakery will sell about 350 of the head-sized pan de muerto. Of those, about 50 will be special orders. In addition to strawberry jam, the tops are decorated with vanilla jam and colored sugar. Some are shaped like skulls.

Midday Tuesday, Hector Blanco said he already had sold about 80. The pan de muerto costs $2.50 each.

The pan de muerto will go on a family's altar, with a picture of the loved one and some of their favorite things, like beer, Sonia Blanco said.

Offering the pan de muerto is something personal for the Blanco family, as they too will remember a loved one today -- Hector Blanco's father, Jos Blanco.

Hector Blanco said his father had a bakery in Mexico and continued as a baker once he moved his family to California.

While the pan de muerto is offered to spirits, families also will eat the sweet bread, Sonia Blanco said.

Across the river in Richland, students at Washington State University Tri-Cities observed the day by making colorful shoeboxes or posters dedicated to loved ones who have died. The Hispanic Cultures Club organized the workshop for students to make offerings, masks and puppets.

Today, Spanish instructor and Hispanic Cultures Club adviser Francisca Yoder will give a brief talk about Da de los Muertos. The 15-minute talk starts at 12:30 p.m. in the West Building Atrium. The offerings created Tuesday will be on display.

The school is at 2770 University Drive, Richland.