2025 Worldwide Candle Lighting 

You are cordially invited to join us for The Compassionate Friends–Tallahassee’s Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony — an evening of warm remembrance dedicated to honoring the memories of our children, grandchildren and siblings gone too soon.

This gathering offers a compassionate space to speak our children’s names, share photos and memories, and remember them alongside others who truly understand the grief of losing a child. Whether this season feels heavy, tender or quietly reflective for you, please know there is a place for you here. Every story, every child’s name and every family matters to us. You are welcome exactly as you are.

During our Welcome Gathering, we will have heavy hors d’oeuvres and will play a tribute video and set up a memory table. Guests may bring an appetizer (perhaps their child’s favorite), as well as submit a photo for our tribute video and/or a photo or small remembrance for the memory table.

If you have questions or need additional information about the Candle Lighting Ceremony or our support group meetings, please reach out anytime by contacting Chapter Leader Becky Barch at (850) 296-8413 or tcfot@yahoo.com.

We would be honored to have you with us for this evening of remembrance, connection, community and shared understanding.

📅 Event Details

Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025

Time: Reception at 6:15 p.m. | Ceremony at 6:45 p.m.

Location: St. Stephen Lutheran Church

2198 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312

⌚ About the Evening

6:15 p.m. – Welcome Gathering

While a tribute video plays in the background, the reception is a welcoming space to gather and share photos and memories of your child. A memory table will be set up for anyone who wishes to place a photo or small remembrance of their child, and angel ornaments will be available as a keepsake of the evening.

🕯️ 6:45 p.m. – Candle Lighting Ceremony

Our Candle Lighting Ceremony is a tender time of remembrance. We’ll share selected poems, light candles symbolizing grief, courage, memory, love and hope, and listen to the sound of bagpipes as we light our individual votive candles. Each loved one’s name will be spoken aloud, honoring their place in our hearts and in this evening.

📬 RSVP and Tribute Slideshow

Please be sure to let us know if you would like to attend as well as whether you would like to include your loved one in our tribute video, which will play during Welcome Gathering. If this is your first time submitting a tribute photo, please provide your name along with the photo and name of your loved one and their date of birth and date of death. If your child has been part of previous tribute videos, there is no need to send additional photos or information — just let us know your attendance plans.

Send RSVP Responses to tcfot@yahoo.com

❑ Yes, I will attend. There are [#] people in my party. Please include my loved one(s) in the tribute video.

❑ No, I cannot attend, but please include my loved one(s) included in the tribute video.

❑ I’m not sure I can attend, but I would like my loved one(s) included in the tribute video.

RSVP &