Worldwide Candle Lighting Memorial Service
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting on the 2nd Sunday in December unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor the memories of the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who left too soon. As candles are lit on December 14th, 2025 at 7:00 pm local time, hundreds of thousands of people commemorate and honor the memory of all children gone too soon.
Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, the annual Worldwide Candle Lighting (WCL), a gift to the bereavement community from The Compassionate Friends, creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. TCF’s WCL started in the United States in 1997 as a small internet observance and has since swelled in numbers as word has spread throughout the world of the remembrance. Hundreds of formal candle lighting events are held, and thousands of informal candle lightings are conducted in homes, as families gather in quiet remembrance of children who have died and will never be forgotten.
Every year you are invited to post a message on our Memorial Wall which will be available, during the event, at TCF’s national website. The Memorial Wall will be open to post a message Sunday, December 1st, through Friday, December 13th. Photos can be posted on our TCF Facebook page.
Add a Candle Lighting Program
Scroll down and Click on your state below to view Worldwide Candle Lighting events in your area.
IMPORTANT: If you attempt to submit your candle lighting service and we do not contact you or your service is not listed within 48 hours, please contact kathiek@compassionatefriends.org.
We also will be holding a virtual candle lighting for those who would prefer to attend virtually. We will have four programs in the
Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones.
Register below for your time zone.
Virtual Worldwide Candle Lighting
The Compassionate Friends and allied organizations are joined by local bereavement groups, churches, funeral homes, hospitals, hospices, children’s gardens, schools, cemeteries, and community centers. Services have ranged in size from just a few people to nearly a thousand.
Click on your state below to view Worldwide Candle Lighting events in your area.
View International Countries
If you do not see a candle lighting program in your area, contact your local chapter to see if they are planning a program. Find a chapter.
Massachusetts
Cotuit
Cotuit Federated Church
- Date & Time:
- December 14, 2025 - 6:45 PM
- Location:
Located in the sanctuary of Cotuit Federated Church. Families are invited to bring a picture of their loved one and place it on the altar before the service begins. Also you can bring a candle to light during the service.
- Highlights:
There will be readings, music, the opportunity to speak aloud your children, grandchildren, and sibling names.
- Bring:
Pictures and candles
- Special Events (before):
Doors will open at 6 pm
- Contact:
- Angela Menke Ballou
- Telephone:
- 508-428-6163
- Email:
- pastor@cotuitfederatedchurch.org
Leominster
North Central Massachusetts Chapter
- Date & Time:
- December 14, 2025 - 6:30 pm
- Location:
100 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453
The candle lighting will also be live streamed on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tcfncm
- Highlights:
The evening will consist of music, readings/poems, story sharing, a slideshow of our loved ones as well as the candle lighting.
- Bring:
Attendees should bring a picture or remembrance for the table and snacks to share are appreciated
- Special Events (before):
Doors open at 6pm where attendees can place their photo and make a place holder sign for their candle. Prelude music to be played and ceremony starts at 6:30 pm.
- Special Events (after):
After the candle lighting is over all are welcome to stay for light refreshments, conversation and compassion.
- Contact:
- Linda Gravelle or Carolann Pichnarcik
- Telephone:
- 978- 786 - 5014
- Email:
- co-leader@tcfncm.org
- Additional:
If you are attending in person we do ask you to RSVP: https://www.tcfncm.org/events/2025-world-wide-candle-lighting
Auburndale
TCF of Boston
- Date & Time:
- December 14, 2025 - 6:00 PM
- Location:
Boston TCF Annual Candle Lighting will be held at the United Parish of Auburndale, 64 Hancock St., Auburndale, MA.
- Highlights:
Our program will include readings, a testimonial by a member, special music, reading of children, grandchildren, and siblings names.
- Bring:
Pictures of your loved ones.
- Special Events (after):
We will hold a reception afterwards in the Parish Hall of the church. Please bring a refreshment to share if you are able.
- Contact:
- Beverly Loudin
- Email:
- beverlyloudin@gmail.com
