Palliative care advocates Claire Hepper and Jeremy McKnight say the Mexican Dia de los Muertos traditions are a different way of looking at death, and ultimately at life.

Dr Hepper said festivities did sparked concern from some in Creswick last year, who initially felt it was disrespectful. But Dr Hepper said this was still a starting point for conversations about end-of-life care and generating understanding from the Mexican perspective, which was rooted in Aztec and Catholic beliefs.

"This is about honouring people who have gone and making the most of life," Dr Hepper said.

"...The face painting of skulls is showing we're all the same underneath...The Aztecs were about bring together people from all walks of like and all religions with respect to get involved.

"It's about not taking life too seriously. We're all going to die but to enjoy life."

Dr Hepper and Mr McKnight run charity Shannon's Bridge, based in Creswick, working to connect patients and families with end-of-life care in their homes. They do so to fulfill the dying wish of Mr McKnight's daughter Shannon who wanted to make palliative care easier for others in rural areas where after-hours services were stretched thin or non-existent.

Shannon died with leukaemia three years ago, aged 19, in her Mount Glasgow home.

Shannon's Bridge is working to change attitudes about death and dying, including a broader focus on good living. They want to promote ways people can live well within their communities to the end of life and ways communities can support each other in grief.

Importantly, they want to get people talking and find Dia de los Muertos is a fun way to reach more people.

"We're all for helping people learn more about what can and can't be done for end of life so they can think what they might want, then move on and focus on living well," Dr Hepper said.

"End of life is not the best time to make end of life decisions. We want people to know death is sad and it's okay to grieve but having these discussions beforehand can help loved ones process their grief."

Dr Hepper and Mr McKnight say gradually conversations about death are changing. They have noticed through their work, people are talking more but mostly in informal ways.

A band of golfers somewhat hesitantly half-painted their faces last year and by the end of their round had full calaveras as they got talking more.

Shannon's bridge will host two days of celebrations to coincide with All Saints' Day on Friday, traditionally aimed for children, and All Souls' Day on Saturday at the Creswick Hub in Albert Street.

There will be face painting, traditional sugar skulls and flower crowns. Information and support for advanced care planning, funerals and DonateLife organ and tissue donations will be available.

Dr Hepper said the alter, ofrendas, proved popular last year as a place to give love and remember loved ones.

Unlike the Americanisation of Halloween, Dr Hepper said Day of the Dead was far from about spooking people. Rather, it was about beauty and learning there was no right or wrong way to approach death and grieving.

"Mexican tradition has colour and flowers and butterflies," Dr Hepper said. "The monarch butterflies are really symbolic, they come back this time of year in Mexico and many believe it is with the souls of those who have passed, visiting."

Celebrations are at the Creswick Hub on Friday and Saturday, 10am-4pm. Shannon's Bridge is also hosting a Day of the Dead dinner at The American Hotel on Friday Night.

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