Does the Altar of the Dead (40811) include any minifigures?

No, this is a minifigure-free display set. All 231 pieces go into building the altar itself rather than characters.

How many pieces and unique parts does the set have?

It has 231 pieces made from 118 unique parts, putting the build at a moderate difficulty level suitable for an afternoon project.

What colours make up the model?

White and black form the base, with bold bright light orange and yellow used for the marigold flowers and candle flames, as listed in full on this page.

Seasonal

Altar of the Dead

Altar of the Dead (40811) is a LEGO® Seasonal display model shaped like a Mexican Día de los Muertos altar. Built from 231 pieces and 118 distinct parts, it skips minifigures entirely in favour of decorative detail. White and black form the base, lifted by bold bright light orange and yellow.

Set number: 40811
Year: 2025
Pieces: 231
Minifigures: 0
Theme: Seasonal
Different parts: 118

What can I build with it?

View the official building instructions at LEGO® ↗

Parts list 118

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (29)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Description

A tribute built from bricks

The set recreates an ofrenda, the traditional altar Mexican families build during Día de los Muertos to honour relatives who have passed away. Sugar-skull shapes, candles and the bright marigold flowers traditionally used to guide spirits home are all translated into brick form. There are no minifigures here; every piece goes towards the altar itself, turning 231 pieces into a small, self-contained scene rather than a playset built around characters.

Reading the colour mix

White and black make up most of the build, with bright light orange and yellow reserved for flowers, flames and accent details. That restrained palette keeps the model looking sharp on a shelf rather than busy, and it means the parts list on this page doubles as a handy reference for anyone planning a matching autumn or Halloween build. Several elements, particularly the orange and yellow pieces, work well for candle holders or small floral arrangements outside this set too.

Build size and difficulty

With 118 unique parts across 231 pieces, the build sits comfortably in the middle ground: varied enough to hold your attention for an afternoon, but nowhere near the scale of a large display set. Because there are no minifigures to slot in, the whole session is about assembling the altar's layers and finishing details, which suits builders who enjoy display pieces more than play sets. It is a manageable project for anyone new to LEGO® display models rather than vehicles or buildings.

Who it suits

Altar of the Dead appeals to seasonal LEGO® collectors, fans of small-scale display builds, and anyone after an autumn piece that is not tied to Halloween imagery. At 231 pieces it is substantial enough to feel like a proper project without demanding a large shelf footprint once finished. Checking the full parts list on this page before starting is worth doing, since it shows exactly which colours and elements make up the finished altar.

FAQ

Does the Altar of the Dead (40811) include any minifigures?: No, this is a minifigure-free display set. All 231 pieces go into building the altar itself rather than characters.
How many pieces and unique parts does the set have?: It has 231 pieces made from 118 unique parts, putting the build at a moderate difficulty level suitable for an afternoon project.
What colours make up the model?: White and black form the base, with bold bright light orange and yellow used for the marigold flowers and candle flames, as listed in full on this page.