Candlelight memorial service: mourning and hope for deceased children

Candlelight memorial service: mourning and hope for deceased children

During the dark season it is often difficult to come to terms with the memories of deceased children. On **14. December 2025** the old Johanneskirche in Eibach will become a place of remembrance when the clinical chaplains of the Fürth and Nuremberg clinics invite you to the **“Candlelight” memorial service**. Held each year on the second Sunday of December, this event provides grieving families with a space for **Grief, Pain and Gratitude**. The aim of this solemn gathering is to connect relatives with one another and to provide a special setting for the memory of the deceased children Nuremberg Clinic reported.

But what exactly happens on this special evening? Families are invited to bring a **candle** from home, which will then be lit as part of the service. This not only symbolizes the memory of the lost child, but also the hope that grief will not permanently cloud the lives of the relatives. The celebration begins at 6 p.m., followed by the opportunity to chat over tea or children's punch. This personal interaction after the formal part enables those affected to openly share their thoughts and feelings and find comfort.

A global commemoration

The **Initiative for Worldwide Candle Lighting**, also known as **Worldwide Candle Lighting**, supports this beautiful tradition and invites relatives worldwide to take part in this day of remembrance for deceased children. At 7:00 p.m., families in different time zones light their candles, creating a **wave of lights** around the globe. Each light represents a deceased child and symbolizes the eternal memory and the solidarity of the mourners across geographical borders Wikipedia can be read.

These days of remembrance not only promote solidarity among the affected families, but also offer the opportunity to organize into self-help groups and organize community mourning events. This ensures that no one is left alone with their grief.

Rituals and memories

To celebrate life and memories, grieving parents and relatives can also incorporate personal rituals into their memorial service. As on the blog by Ollymotions described, there are various options for individually designing the funeral service. This includes **writing letters** to the deceased, creating a **thank you book** for relatives or **singing an emotional song together**. Such rituals help to process emotions and give the celebration a lively and grateful touch.

The evening in Eibach promises not only a tribute to the deceased, but also a strengthening of the community among the mourners. With candlelight, memories can be preserved and hope for a positive future can be lived. It is a space where **sadness** and **hope** are intertwined, and where each has its place.