How to Make the Day of the Dead Pet Video ("Su Primer Día de Muertos" Trend)

Short answer: the Day of the Dead pet video shows a pet who has passed away walking across a bridge of orange marigold (cempasúchil) petals into the land of the dead, usually captioned "es su primer Día de Muertos, no lo dejen solo" ("it's their first Day of the Dead, don't leave them alone"). You can make it for free with a CapCut template and a still image, or turn one photo of your pet into a moving 10-second AI video in a few minutes on Step Into the Scene ($2.99, no account needed). The best days to post are October 27 (the pets' day by popular tradition) and November 1–2.

What is the "su primer Día de Muertos" trend?

In Mexican tradition, a path of cempasúchil petals guides souls back home during Día de Muertos. The trend dedicates that image to pets: a photo of a dog or cat who is gone appears on a glowing bridge of orange flowers, walking toward the camera or toward the other side.

It went viral on Mexican TikTok in October 2025. Outlets such as TV Azteca, Milenio and El Sofá published guides on how to make it, and in October 2026 the trend is already back.

When should I post it?

• October 27: by popular belief, the day pets return. Many families set up a small ofrenda for their pets first, and searches for the trend peak around this date.
• November 1–2: Día de Muertos itself. Videos get shared next to photos of the family ofrenda.

Making the video a few days before October 27 gives you time to pick a song and write the caption.

Three ways to make it

• CapCut template + your photo: free, about 5 minutes. Your still photo over a marigold background.
• AI image + CapCut animation: free to low cost, 15–30 minutes. A new still image of your pet on the bridge, lightly animated.
• One-photo AI video (Step Into the Scene): $2.99 per video, 2–5 minutes. Your pet actually walks across the bridge in a 10-second vertical video.

CapCut template. Search "primer día de muertos mascota" in CapCut's template tab, pick one and swap in your photo. It's free and quick, but your pet doesn't move: the photo is placed over the template.

AI image plus animation. Generate an image of your pet on a marigold bridge with an AI image tool, then animate it lightly in CapCut. You get more control, but it takes several tools, and AI image tools often change the pet's markings.

One-photo AI video. Upload one clear photo to our Day of the Dead pet generator. It's made with the Wan 2.6 Flash video model (Alibaba), and it keeps your pet's face, fur color and markings while it walks across the marigold bridge at dusk. Standard (720p) costs 30 credits ($2.99 for one video), HD (1080p) 60 credits. No account is needed, and failed generations are refunded automatically.

How to make it with one photo, step by step

1. Pick the photo. Choose a clear shot where your pet's face and markings are easy to see, ideally full body, with one animal in the photo.
2. Upload and choose a quality. Standard is enough for TikTok and Reels. HD is better if you want to keep it as a keepsake.
3. Wait 2–5 minutes. You can leave the page open; the video appears when it's ready.
4. Download and add a song. The video has no audio, so you can use any trending sound on TikTok, Reels or CapCut.
5. Post with the caption. See the ideas below.

Photo tips for a better result

• Face visible and in focus: a three-quarter angle works better than a profile.
• Good light, no heavy filters. Filters can change the fur color.
• One pet per photo. If you want two pets, make two videos.
• Avoid photos where a person is holding the pet in front of their face.

Caption ideas

• "Es su primer Día de Muertos, no lo dejen solo 🧡🌼"
• "Te pusimos tu ofrenda, [name]. Te esperamos el 27 🐾"
• "Crossing the marigold bridge for the first time. We miss you, [name]."
• "Their first Day of the Dead. Light a candle for them 🕯️"

Hashtags people use: #diademuertos #primerdiademuertos #mascotas #cempasuchil #ofrenda.

FAQ

Is there a free way to make it? Yes. CapCut templates are free. They place your photo over a background instead of animating your pet.

Does it work for cats, rabbits and other pets? Yes, as long as the photo is clear and shows one animal.

Is my photo public? No. On Step Into the Scene your photo is only used to make your video and is never shown to other users. See our privacy policy.

Can I make it for a person instead of a pet? The template is designed for pets; faces of people may not be kept accurately.

Which AI model makes the video? Wan 2.6 Flash by Alibaba, run through fal.ai. See AI models we use.

Make your pet's Día de Muertos video →