Candlelight vigils are a great way to feel comfort during the holiday season.

Candlelight vigils are very popular during the holiday season and beyond. This is a delightful way to get friends and family members together to celebrate the life of a loved one with a heartfelt tribute.

Many people have no idea how to organize a candlelight vigil. It's not as difficult as you might think, but there are many details that you need to consider. Our staff wants to make sure you get it done the right way, so here are some quick tips:

Get Someone to Help You

We all like to think that we're very strong and can take care of everything when a loved one passes. But the truth is, losing someone who's close to you is a difficult event to process. You must remember that no one will expect you to do everything, no matter how strong of a façade you put up. To make things easier, reach out to someone you trust who can help you set up the candlelight vigil and any related details.

Decide on the Itinerary

Many people think that a candlelight vigil only consists of a bunch of friends and family holding candles and praying. But there's typically a detailed itinerary involved. Perhaps there will be songs in the mix. Maybe a psalm or two.

There may even be multiple people speaking about their lost loved one. There are no specific rules, so feel free to create an itinerary that you think will be fitting for the deceased and those in attendance.

Use Technology to Organize

The use of technology is a great way to organize a candlelight vigil. It might seem kind of strange for those who aren't familiar with social media, but Facebook makes it very easy to organize an event and keep track of those who will be attending. Sending out evites may have felt impersonal in the past, but they're now one of the most effective and traditional ways to put together a heartfelt vigil.

Find the Right Location

In most instances, you want to hold your candlelight vigil in a quiet, private space. This is because you don't want the event to be disrupted by strangers or passersby. If possible, hold the candlelight vigil in an area that would be personal to the deceased. This could be a church, family home, place of work, school they were attending, an outdoor park, a banquet hall, or even the beach.

Choose Respectful Music

Music is often a very big part of a candlelight vigil. It's much better than standing in silence. Even if your loved one was a huge fan of rock or rap music, you should select a more respectful piece of music.

"Amazing Grace" is very common, but there are many others to choose from, such as "I Received the Living God,” "Holy Is Your Name," and “You Are Near." You may also want to choose to sing a psalm as a way to pay your respects.

Share Photos of the Event

Taking photos of the candlelight vigil is very important. Although this is a private affair, sharing pictures is a delightful way to show others what the deceased meant to you.

These photos can be uploaded to various websites. Facebook and Instagram are two of the most popular. This method will allow those who couldn't be in attendance to enjoy the moment and say their own goodbyes and prayers.

Contact Holloway Funeral Home for Funeral Services in Oldsmar, Florida

Holloway Funeral Home can help you pre-plan for funeral and cremation services. We can provide advice to help make your candlelight vigil the best that it can be. If you have any questions about our memorial services, cremation services, or why we're the best funeral home in Oldsmar and the surrounding areas, give us a call at (813) 855-2439 today.