Light a Candle for All Children Who Have Died
Every year, since 1997, on the second Sunday in December The Compassionate Friends (TCF) hold a Worldwide Candle Lighting in memory of all children who have died too soon.
On this day people around the world are encouraged to light a candle to so that...Their Light May Always Shine.
This year the event will be held on December 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in all time zones around the globe.
Image Source: The Compassionate Friends. Worldwide Candle Lighting Image. Used with Permission.
Remembering Children in Poetry
Poem Excerpt about the Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting
- Children we remember
Though missing from our sight
In honor and remembrance
We light candles in the night...
We will not forget
And every year in deep December
On Earth we will light candles
As we remember
Jacqueline Brown
Photo Source: Eli Ratner. Blue Candles. Royalty Free Use.
More About the Worldwide Candle Lighting
Circling the Globe in a Virtual 24-hour Memorial
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting is held at 7:00 p.m. for one hour in every time zone around the world on the second Sunday in December.
As candles go out in one time zone, they are lit in the next creaing a virtual 24-hour memorial of candles that encircles the globe to honor and remember all children who have died.
Why
The Worldwide Candle Lighting is a way of giving bereaved families around the world the chance to share their loss and remember their child...so that their light may always shine.
...that their light might always shine
...that their light might always shine
Worldwide Candle Lighting - 2008
A Squidoo Lens on Anniversary Reactions
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Anniversary Reaction - When Remembering Isn't Always a Happy Occasion
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Coping with the anniversary of the death of a loved one, the loss of a public figure, dealing with the aftermath of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina or the national trauma of September 11, 2001 can be difficult for the family, the friends...
Memorial Vase and Candle in the Amazon Spotlight
This Light Memorial Vase and Candle
Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
A beautiful way to remember loved ones a this floating vase and memorial candle
The words engraved on the vase read, ''This light shines as a symbol of lives and loves remembered.''
The Vase measures 7 in high x 3-1/2 in wide
Vigil Candles Available on Amazon
How Can I Get Involved?
Participating in the Worldwide Candle Lighting
As the dates draw closer to December check The Compassionate Friends website for listings of planned observances.
If you are interested in holding your own candle lighting event you can download guidelines for planning or check on information to hold your own.
Listings of the known planned observances and guidelines for planning and holding your own Worldwide Candle Lighting will be posted as they become available on The Compassionate Friends Website.
Worldwide Candle Lighting for the Compassionate Friends
On Flickr
These were some of the images from the Compassionate Friends' Worldwide Candle Lighting in memory of a loved one.
The Largest Mass Candle Lighting in the World
Lighting Candles for all Children Who have Died Because Grief Has No Boundaries
The Worldwide Candle Lighting is thought to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world. Thousands of more events are held around the world informally at home or other special places of remembrance.The Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting event started in 1997 in the United States as a small Internet observance, but over the last ten years has grown in size and spread around the globe.
The Candle Lighting is a way to commemorate and honor children in an event that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries, because grief knows no boundaries.
I will light a candle for you...
Shattering the Darkness with Light
- To shatter all the darkness
And bless the time we know.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright
And guide us on our way.
Today I light a candle for you.
Source:
I will light a candle for you... Magnolia Jazz. on Flickr.
Photo Source: Kathryn McCallum. Blue Star. Royalty Free Use.
A Squidoo Lens on Coping with Grief
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How to Cope with Loss and Grief - Healthy Coping Strategies
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When faced with a loss, crisis or life-changing event, you are suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar world, one that can be frightening and unsettling. Knowing how to make it through the first few days or hours can help. This lens offers articles and re...
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting
More Information about the Event to Remember Children Who Have Died
- The 2008 Worldwide Candle Lighting
- General Information page about The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting.
- Worldwide Candle Lighting News Stories 2007 - Before the Event
- Links to articles about what the media said before the 2007 Worldwide Candle Lighting.
- Worldwide Candle Lighting News Stories
- What the media said after last year's Worldwide Candle Lighting.
- Frequently Asked Questions for the Worldwide Candle Lighting
- Frequently Asked Questions about The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting.
- Guidelines for Holding a Candle Lighting in Conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting
- A pdf file with information to help in organizing and planning a Worldwide Candle Lighting in your own area.
About The Compassionate Friends
Assisting Families Following the Death of a Child of Any Age
The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. Their mission 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. There is no religious affiliation and there are no membership dues or fees.The Compassionate Friends works on the premise that as seasoned grievers reach out to the newly bereaved, energy that has been directed inward begins to flow outward and both are helped to heal.
Image: The Compassionate Friends Logo.
Flameless Candles Available on Amazon
A Squidoo Lens on the Safest Candle Ever
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Flameless Candles: The Safest Candle Ever
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Flameless candles are just as beautiful and create the same ambiance in a room as those that burn but with flameless candles there is no worry of fire, melted wax, or burns. Some of the new flameless candles are even infused with aroma. A f...
The Compassionate Friends - Home Page
Offering Hope to Bereaved Parents and Families
- The Compassionate Friends
- The home page for The Compassionate Friends (TCF) Organization.
Reader Feedback on the Worldwide Candle Lighting Lens
Your place for comments, messages, suggestions, ideas and feedback
Have you participated in the Worldwide Candle Lighting before? Do you plan on participating this year?
Be sure to share your comments, rank the site, pass on the word about the site (email) and leave a message (Reader Feedback).
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Macey
You have done a great job! I came to know about a great celebration.I will celebrate this with my family this year. Posted September 05, 2008 |
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HarmonyRoad
Thank you for your ministry. As someone who lost stillborn twins nearly 28 years ago, I know we have a come a very long way in terms of finding ways to help people grieve such a loss. This is a beautiful ritual that lets people they are not alone and offers a meaningful way to articulate their loss. Posted December 04, 2007 |
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Evelyn_Saenz
Thank you for sharing this great celebration. I just told the kids about it. Because of this lens my family and I will be celebrating this year. Posted November 30, 2007 |
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createthechange
What you are doing is wonderful. We are adding you to our event calendar at www.createthechange.com Posted November 29, 2007 |
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JenniferAkers
What a wonderful way to commemorate children - in a worldwide embrace and ceremony. Thanks for sharing the info - I'll be sure to watch for this year's Worldwide Candle Lighting in December. Posted August 30, 2007 |
Benefitting the Squidoo Charity Fund and Save the Children
This lens benefits the Squidoo Charity Fund and Save the Children as part of SquidAid. 
