5 Things To Remember When Hosting Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremonies

Memorial candles are a fantastic and respectful way to remember those who have passed. Many cultures do candlelight vigils as a sign of mourning within the community. It is a way for friends and family members to come together and offer their support and prayers to those who are grieving.

While it can be comforting to host a memorial candle lighting for a family who is dealing with a loved one’s passing, there are significant social cues to remember. Here are some basics on arranging this type of memorial to ensure everyone’s best interests are considered:

1 – Ask The Family For Permission

If you are a friend or an outsider and want to arrange candle lighting as a way to show your love and support for a family, don’t proceed without speaking to the family first. Some families wish to mourn and grieve in privacy. Always have their best interest in mind because even the most meaningful gestures might be the wrong choice during such a sad and sensitive time.

2 – Choose The Perfect Candles

There are many types of memorial candles to choose from and it can be a daunting task to pick the right one. A personalized candle with special meaning can be a great remembrance gift for the family and friends. These candles can contain a special message that the departed holds dearly or they can have a comforting saying for the family to help them with their loss.

Don’t limit yourself to plain and regular candles for the memorial, going the extra step to get personalized candles will let the family know you care very much.

3 – Read A Dedication To The Dearly Departed

Aside from simply lighting a candle during the memorial, sometimes a few words can also offer a sense of comfort, peace, and love. This can be done by reading a Bible passage, reciting a poem the departed cherished, or in more intimate gatherings sharing stories about their loved one can be a great way to cope with the loss.

4 – Light Candles For Anniversaries Too

Offering to light a candle on special anniversaries is a wonderful way to honor those who have passed. This can be done on their birthdays, on major holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, and especially on the anniversary of their passing. The light of a candle is often seen as a source of warmth and hope, and there is no better way to honor the people who have passed than to light a memorial candle in their memory.

5 – Blow Out All The Candles At The End

While it is tempting to keep the flame burning throughout the night, it is safer to blow them out by the end of the memorial. This does not signify that you have lost hope, it is a simple safety measure that everyone should practice. This applies to both indoor and outdoor vigils.

You can always light a new candle for your loved one the next day and continue to offer prayers to your heart’s content.