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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting®? The candle lighting is held annually as a way for all caring persons to remember those children who have died from any cause, at any age, regardless of cultural, ethnic, religious, or political boundaries. The Worldwide Candle Lighting is made up of hundreds of memorial services around the globe and thousands of smaller observances in the home with family and friends.
When is The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting? The event is held annually the second Sunday in December at 7 p.m. local time. Candles stay lighted for one hour in each time zone around the world creating a virtual 24-hour wave of light.
How large is the Worldwide Candle Lighting today? No one really knows, but it is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe and is believed to have participants numbering in the hundreds of thousands. During the 2007 Worldwide Candle Lighting, TCF/USA received information on nearly 500 services held in 21 countries around the world. While TCF's USA website attempts to list all Worldwide Candle Lighting events open to the public, unfortunately there are many held for which information has not been received. Because families are encouraged to hold candle lightings in their home if they do not wish to, or cannot attend a formal candle lighting service, there are no doubt many thousands of simple observances held with family and friends present.
How can I go about organizing a formal service? We’re happy to help. You may download the brochure Suggestions to Help Plan Memorial Services in Conjunction with The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting. TCF chapter leadership may download a copy of guidelines for TCF Chapter WCL services from the Chapter Leadership Website.
Does my organization need to be affiliated with The Compassionate
Friends to hold a formal candle lighting? Definitely not. This is a
gift to the bereavement community from The Compassionate Friends and all
are welcome to participate in remembering beloved children gone too
soon. We do ask you to please submit the online form (available October
to December) advising us of your memorial service that is open to the
public so that those who visit our site from your area can be made aware
of your service and attend if they wish. During the 2007 Worldwide
Candle Lighting, in addition to hundreds of services held by TCF
chapters, information was received on services organized by chapters of
Twinless Twins, MISS, MADD, POMC, and BPUSA, as well as many local
bereavement groups, funeral homes, churches, and hospices. Many
individuals plan public services, inviting community members who meet
collectively just to participate in the Worldwide Candle Lighting
service. How does National Children's Memorial Day relate to The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting? For several years, at the request of The Compassionate Friends, the U.S. Senate joined in observance of the Worldwide Candle Lighting by recognizing the second Sunday in December as National Children's Memorial Day. TCF/USA appreciates our government’s understanding of what the Worldwide Candle Lighting means to so many.
Are there other opportunities to remember children during the Worldwide Candle Lighting? Yes. The Compassionate Friends national website features a special Remembrance Book open for submissions on the second Sunday in December so that family and friends may leave a message remembering a child, relating a special memory, or sharing a poem that has helped in their grief. We encourage all to share their thoughts with others who understand and care. Many times over the years, events have been held either nationally or locally in conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting that are not services, but in some way show a unique way of observing this special day. Please feel free to let us know if you have planned a special way of recognizing the Worldwide Candle Lighting and its meaning.
Where is The Worldwide Candle Lighting publicized? Every year publicity becomes more widespread with coverage before, during, and after the Worldwide Candle Lighting in hundreds of newspapers and on dozens of television and radio stations. In the past, the event has been featured in Dear Abby, Parade Magazine, Ann Landers column, Guideposts magazine, Annie’s Mailbox and even on a nationally syndicated television program. You will also find information on hundreds of websites. The Compassionate Friends encourages you to help publicize this meaningful event. Visit The Compassionate Friends national website for links to newspaper articles about The Worldwide Candle Lighting.
What can I do to make this event even more successful? Everyone can help to spread the word whether by handing out Worldwide Candle Lighting buttons—order at TCF Exclusives--contacting newspapers and other media, placing posters on bulletin boards at libraries, senior citizen centers, stores, and other locations, or coming up with a unique public awareness idea. We have heard from bereaved parents who went to their neighbors along their street and asked them all to light candles. Call or e-mail your friends and relatives and ask them to light a candle. If no local service is planned, you can be the person who makes a difference by organizing an event in your community. The ways in which you can make the Worldwide Candle Lighting even more successful are limited only by your own imagination.
What is TCF’s involvement and what is the history of the Worldwide Candle Lighting?
While the Worldwide Candle Lighting started out as a small Internet observance in 1997 by members of The Compassionate Friends, the national organization quickly decided to make this special day a gift to the bereavement community and all who provide support to bereaved family members following the death of a child. Through cooperation with allied bereavement organizations, The Compassionate Friends has watched the Worldwide Candle Lighting grow at a pace that has made it what is today believed to be the world’s largest mass candle lighting.
We do this . . . that their light may always shine! The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. Return to Worldwide Candle Lighting Information Page
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