Candle-lighting rite to remember children who’ve passed on

The death of a child of any age, from any cause, is a shattering experience for a family. The family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The holidays are often an especially difficult time.

The Compassionate Friends of Saipan will be holding their annual remembrance program to honor our children, grandchildren, and siblings gone too soon. The event will be held as part of The Compassionate Friends’ 19th Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Service. Tens of thousands of bereaved family members, and friends, around the globe will join together to light remembrance candles to honor the memories of children who have died, but will never be forgotten.

On Saipan, the remembrance ceremony will be held on Dec. 13, a Sunday, starting at 6:45pm at the Garapan Central Park, in front of Gold’s Gym. Candles will be lit at 7pm local time, as we commemorate and honor the memory of all children gone too soon. 

A virtual 24-hour wave of light moves from time zone to time zone around the world.  As candles go out in time zones before us, they will be lit on Saipan and Guam.

Each family group or attendee will have the opportunity to light and hold their own candle in remembrance.  There will be a slideshow presentation, music, and readings of loved one’s names.  If you would like your child’s or sibling’s photo included in the slide show, email one or two photos to nelsonkrum@msn.com before Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, (or call one of the numbers below if you need help scanning a photo).

Attendees are also welcome to bring a framed photo or small memento of their loved one for a display. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony. Please join us and bring your loved one’s favorite dessert (finger food) to be shared, along with memories, after the program.

Those unable to attend may participate by simply lighting a candle at home alone, or with friends and family, and/or submit a memorial post about a loved one in the Remembrance Book that will be available during the event, at TCF’s national website at http://www.compassionatefriends.org/home.aspx.

Contact Jill Derickson (989-9821 or jilld@pticom.com) or Donna Krum (783-1900 or donnakrum@gmail.com) for further information.

The Compassionate Friends (http://www.compassionatefriends.org/home.aspx) is a national mutual assistance, self-help organization that offers friendship, understanding and support to family members who have experienced the death of a son, daughter, brother, sister, or grandchild, and helps others better assist grieving families. (TCF)