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When to Light a Yahrzeit Candle:
A Complete Guide to Honoring Loved Ones

Q: What should I do if I forgot to light the yahrzeit candle?

If you remember while the yahrzeit day is still going on, light the candle right away. If the yahrzeit has fully passed, focus on other parts of yahrzeit observance: giving tzedakah in memory of the person, studying Torah or Mishnah, reciting Psalms, and attending services to say Kaddish at the next chance. Many give extra charity when they miss the candle. Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities welcomes memorial donations at any time.

Understanding when to light a yahrzeit candle and the sacred tradition of the Jewish memorial candle

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Understanding when to light a yahrzeit candle and the sacred tradition of the Jewish memorial candle

The soft glow of a yahrzeit candle has lit Jewish homes for hundreds of years. This small flame serves as a way to remember loved ones who have passed away. Knowing when to light a yahrzeit candle—and what this custom means—turns a simple act into something powerful. It connects the living to those who came before them.

Many people ask when do you light a yahrzeit candle for the first time after a loss. The answer connects to one of Judaism’s most beautiful ideas. The soul of a loved one continues to exist. It can still rise higher through the good deeds of those who remember them.

Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities, founded in 1799, has long helped families honor yahrzeit customs. The charity sends tzedakah (charitable giving) to the poor of Israel in memory of the departed. This guide explains when to light a yahrzeit candle, what it means, and how to do it safely. Following this tradition brings merit to both the living and those who have passed on.

Why Yahrzeit Candles Are Lit at Sunset: Understanding When to Light

To know when to light a yahrzeit candle, you must first understand how the Jewish calendar works. In Jewish tradition, a new day starts at sunset—not at midnight. This comes from the Torah’s description of creation: “and there was evening, and there was morning” (Bereishis 1:5).

This means when you light a yahrzeit candle, you do so at sunset on the night before the date shown on a regular calendar. The yahrzeit is the Hebrew anniversary of a loved one’s passing.

Here is an example. Say a parent passed away on the 15th of Cheshvan. You would light the yahrzeit candle at sunset on the 14th of Cheshvan. That sunset marks the start of the 15th. The candle then burns for the full 24 hours of the yahrzeit. It serves as a constant reminder of the neshamah (soul) being honored.

Important: When to Light a Yahrzeit Candle Before Shabbos and Yom Tov

When a yahrzeit falls on Shabbos or a Jewish holiday, the candle must be lit before the holy day begins. This means lighting before sunset on Friday or on the holiday eve. Lighting a fire is not allowed on Shabbos and Yom Tov. So the yahrzeit candle should be lit along with the Shabbos or holiday candles. If the yahrzeit falls on the second day of a two-day Yom Tov, ask a Rabbi about when to light a yahrzeit candle properly.

The 24-hour memorial candle has become the standard choice for this reason. Traditional yahrzeit candles in glass containers burn for about 24 to 26 hours. This keeps the flame lit from one sunset to the next. The unbroken light stands for the lasting nature of the soul. It shows the ongoing link between generations.

The Soul as a Candle: What the Yahrzeit Light Means

The yahrzeit candle meaning goes far beyond simple custom. It reflects a deep understanding of the human soul. The Book of Mishlei (Proverbs 20:27) teaches: “Ner Hashem nishmat adam“—”The soul of man is the lamp of God.” This verse shows the link between light and the neshamah. It explains why a flame is the best way to remember someone who has passed.

A candle’s flame reaches upward. In the same way, the soul yearns to rise toward its Divine source. A flame lights up everything around it while using up its wick. In the same way, the neshamah brings light to the world while living in its physical body. The Jewish memorial candle shows something we cannot see—the soul continues to exist in the World to Come (Olam HaBa).

Light as Memory

The candle's light does two things at once. It honors the memory of the person who passed away. It also shows their ongoing spiritual presence. Each time you see the burning flame during the yahrzeit, you are reminded to do things that bring merit to the neshamah. These include prayer, Torah study, and tzedakah. The light becomes more than a memorial. It pushes us to take spiritual action.

Take Spiritual Action and Donate Now

Jewish mystical tradition teaches that the souls of the departed receive benefit when their descendants do mitzvos (commandments) in their memory. Lighting a yahrzeit candle—especially when joined with charity and Torah study—creates a spiritual channel. Blessing flows through this channel to the neshamah. This turns the simple act of lighting a match into a deep spiritual service.

What to Say When Lighting a Yahrzeit Candle

Unlike Shabbos candles or Chanukah lights, there is no formal blessing (brachah) said when lighting a yahrzeit candle. No blessing is required. This fits the somber nature of the day. This is not a celebration. It is a time of solemn remembrance.

Still, the moment of lighting offers a chance for personal prayer. Many people recite chapters of Tehillim (Psalms) after lighting. Psalm 23 (“Hashem is my shepherd”) and Psalm 121 (“I lift my eyes to the mountains”) are common choices. Some recite Psalm 119, focusing on verses that spell out the Hebrew name of the person who passed away. Each section of this psalm matches a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. These prayers bring spiritual benefit to the neshamah.

Some also recite the memorial prayer “Kel Malei Rachamim” (God Full of Compassion). This prayer is said at funerals, unveilings, and on the yahrzeit.

The yahrzeit also includes going to synagogue to recite Kaddish. Many also receive an aliyah to the Torah (being called up to say blessings over the Torah reading). Some lead services if they are able. These public acts join with the private lighting of the yahrzeit candle. Together they form a complete observance of the day.

Types of Yahrzeit Candles: Choosing the Right Memorial Light

Several types of yahrzeit candles exist. Each has its own features. The most common is the traditional wax candle in a glass container. These are usually white or off-white. They burn for about 24 to 26 hours. You can find them at Jewish bookstores, synagogues, and many supermarkets. The glass container keeps the wax safe while letting the light shine through.

Beeswax yahrzeit candles are a more traditional choice. Some prefer them for their natural makeup and steady, clean burn. Oil-based yahrzeit lamps remind us of the menorah that burned in the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple). These carry special spiritual meaning for those who want to connect their memorial to Temple traditions. These lamps use olive oil and a floating wick. They need a proper holder to contain the oil safely.

Electric Yahrzeit Candles: A Modern Option

Electric yahrzeit candles and LED memorial lights have become more popular. They help in places where open flames are not safe. Nursing homes, hospitals, hotels, and homes with young children or pets may benefit from these options.

There is a machloket (halachic disagreement) among poskim (halachic authorities) about electric lights. Some hold that an actual flame better fulfills the connection to “ner Hashem nishmat adam.” Others permit electric lights when safety requires them. Those who wish to use an electric yahrzeit candle may choose models that look like traditional candles. A warm, flickering light feels more fitting than a static glow.

Some families light a traditional candle in a safe spot. They also use an electric memorial light in living areas where it can be seen all day. This honors both safety and tradition.

Choosing a Yahrzeit Candle Holder

A proper yahrzeit candle holder gives stability and protects surfaces from heat. Glass-encased candles can sit directly on a heat-resistant surface. Many prefer decorative holders that honor the memory of their loved ones. These range from simple metal designs to fancy silver or brass pieces. Such holders can be passed down through generations. When choosing a holder, make sure it is stable, heat-resistant, and the right size for your candle.

Where to Place Your Yahrzeit Candle

Choosing where to put the yahrzeit candle means thinking about visibility, safety, and respect. Many families place the memorial candle in a central spot where it can be seen all day. A kitchen counter, dining room sideboard, or living room mantle works well. This placement reminds family members of their loved one throughout the day. It prompts ongoing prayer and thought.

Some light the yahrzeit candle near photos of the person who passed away. This creates a small memorial area. Others place the candle in the room where the family gathers most. Some choose the room where the departed spent much time during their life. Halachah (Jewish law) does not require one specific location. Families are free to choose what feels most meaningful.

The yahrzeit candle is normally lit at home. Some people choose to light a second candle at the synagogue where the departed used to daven. This is an addition to home lighting, not a replacement. Those who want to light at shul should ask about the proper location.

Safety Tips for Burning a 24-Hour Memorial Candle

The yahrzeit candle burns for a full 24 hours. This often includes times when people are asleep or away from home. Safety matters greatly. The mitzvah of lighting a memorial candle must be balanced with the Torah’s command to guard one’s life. These guidelines help you observe this sacred custom safely.

Basic Fire Safety

Place the yahrzeit candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface that will not be bumped. A metal tray or ceramic plate under the candle adds protection for furniture. Keep the candle away from curtains, papers, books, and anything else that can catch fire. Leave plenty of space around the candle. Never put a burning candle near an open window. Drafts can make the flame flare or tip over. Keep yahrzeit candles away from children and pets.

Yahrzeit Candle Safety Checklist

Place on a stable, heat-resistant surface
Keep far from all items that can burn
Keep away from drafts and open windows
Put out of reach of children and pets
Never leave burning candles near sleeping areas
Make sure smoke detectors work throughout the home
Consider electric options in high-risk settings

For those who cannot safely burn an open flame—due to housing rules, memory concerns, or other factors—electric yahrzeit candles fulfill the custom without fire risk. Remember that pikuach nefesh (saving life) overrides almost all other concerns in Jewish law. If there is real worry about fire safety, an electric memorial light is the right choice.

What to Do If You Forget to Light a Yahrzeit Candle

Life’s demands sometimes cause even devoted family members to forget to light a yahrzeit candle on time. If you realize this while the yahrzeit day is still going on, light the candle right away. Better late than not at all. Even if only a few hours remain, lighting the memorial candle still fulfills the custom. It brings merit to the neshamah.

If the yahrzeit has fully passed before you remember, do not lose hope. The main parts of yahrzeit observance—Kaddish, Torah study, and charitable giving—can still be done after the date passes. Many have the custom to give extra tzedakah when they miss the candle. Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities welcomes memorial donations at any time. Giving tzedakah in memory of your loved one creates lasting merit for their neshamah no matter the date.

Making Up for a Missed Yahrzeit

Give tzedakah to support Torah scholars and the poor of Israel
Study a portion of Torah or Mishnah in memory of the person
Recite Tehillim (Psalms) for the rising of the neshamah
Attend services and recite Kaddish at the next chance
Set a reminder for next year so you know when to light a yahrzeit candle in advance

To prevent future oversights, ask your synagogue about yahrzeit reminders. You can also use a Jewish calendar app that sends alerts. This helps make sure no memorial passes without notice.

Yahrzeit Candles on Holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Yom Tov

Beyond the personal yahrzeit, Jewish tradition calls for lighting memorial candles on certain holidays. On Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, it is customary to light a “Yom Kippur candle” that honors all departed relatives.The candle is lit before Yom Kippur begins, along with the holiday candles.

Some communities also light yahrzeit candles before Yizkor services. Yizkor takes place on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeres, the last day of Pesach, and the second day of Shavuos. Those who follow this custom light the candle before the holiday starts. You cannot light a new flame on Yom Tov.

Do you light yahrzeit candles on Rosh Hashanah? The answer is no—unless a personal yahrzeit falls on that date. Yizkor is not said on Rosh Hashanah. So there is no general memorial candle lighting on that holiday.

When to Light a Yahrzeit Candle Throughout the Year

Personal Yahrzeit: Light at sunset the evening before the Hebrew date
Yom Kippur: Light before sunset on Erev Yom Kippur (common custom)
Shemini Atzeres: Light before sunset (Yizkor service)
Last Day of Pesach: Light before sunset (Yizkor service)
Second Day of Shavuos: Light before sunset (Yizkor service)
Rosh Hashanah: Only if personal yahrzeit falls on this date

More Yahrzeit Customs: Adding to the Memorial Observance

Lighting the yahrzeit candle is the most visible yahrzeit custom. But traditional observance includes several other practices. Together they create a full day of remembrance.

Reciting Kaddish remains the central prayer of yahrzeit observance. Kaddish is an Aramaic prayer that affirms faith in God despite loss. Those who can attend synagogue services recite Kaddish at each prayer service throughout the 24-hour period.
Leading services (serving as shaliach tzibbur) on the yahrzeit brings merit to the departed soul. So does receiving an aliyah to the Torah. Many synagogues give these honors first to those observing yahrzeits.
Studying Mishnah connects closely to yahrzeit observance. The Hebrew letters of “Mishnah” (מ-ש-נ-ה) are the same as “neshamah” (נ-ש-מ-ה) rearranged. Some complete an entire tractate of Mishnah on the yahrzeit.
Visiting the grave—if possible—is a yahrzeit custom practiced by many, especially Ashkenazic Jews. At the graveside, one recites Psalms and the memorial prayer “Kel Malei Rachamim.” Personal prayers for the rising of the neshamah are also said. Those who cannot visit the grave can arrange for someone to recite prayers there on their behalf.
Giving tzedakah remains perhaps the most powerful yahrzeit practice. The verse in Mishlei (10:2) teaches that “tzedakah saves from death.” Charity given in memory of the departed brings direct merit to their neshamah. Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, the great Talmudic sage, pledged to intercede in Heaven for those who give charity to the poor of Israel in his memory. This promise has inspired generations to give their yahrzeit tzedakah through Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities.

Honor Memory Through Tzedakah: The RMBH Tradition

For over two hundred years, Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities has served as a sacred channel for memorial giving. The charity sends tzedakah from Jews around the world to support Torah scholars, widows, orphans, and needy families throughout Eretz Yisroel (the Land of Israel). Founded in 1799, the organization carries on the legacy of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness. This miracle worker of the Talmudic era promised to intercede for those who give charity in his memory. His promise continues to inspire acts of chesed (loving-kindness) across generations.

When you give tzedakah to Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities in memory of your loved ones, your donation does several things. It provides real help to those in need in the Holy Land. This fulfills the mitzvah of tzedakah in its most direct form. It creates spiritual merit for the neshamah of your departed relative. Your righteous act helps their soul rise higher. And it links you to a chain of tradition going back centuries. Your observance joins the countless Jews who have called out “Elaka d’Meir aneini”—”God of Meir, answer me”—in times of need.

Give Tzedakah in Memory of Your Loved Ones

In the merit of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, may your tzedakah bring blessing to the neshamah of your departed and comfort to your family. Your donation supports Torah scholars, widows, orphans, and needy families in Eretz Yisroel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yahrzeit Candles

When do you light a yahrzeit candle?

A yahrzeit candle is lit at sunset on the evening before the Hebrew date of the yahrzeit. The Jewish day begins at sunset. Lighting in the evening ensures the candle burns throughout the entire 24-hour memorial period. For example, if the yahrzeit falls on the 15th of Cheshvan, light the candle at sunset on the 14th of Cheshvan. When the yahrzeit falls on Shabbos or Yom Tov, light the candle before the holy day begins along with the Shabbos or holiday candles.

Is there a blessing to say when lighting a yahrzeit candle?

No formal blessing (brachah) is recited when lighting a yahrzeit candle. Unlike Shabbos candles or Chanukah lights, the yahrzeit candle does not require a specific blessing. Many have the custom to recite Psalms—especially Psalms 23 and 121—or the memorial prayer “Kel Malei Rachamim” after lighting the flame.

How many times a year do you light a yahrzeit candle?

A yahrzeit candle is lit each year on the Hebrew anniversary of a loved one’s passing. Many also light memorial candles on Yom Kippur and before Yizkor services (Shemini Atzeres, last day of Pesach, and second day of Shavuos). If you observe yahrzeits for more than one family member, you light separate candles on each date throughout the year.

Can I use an electric yahrzeit candle?

There is a machloket (halachic disagreement) among poskim (halachic authorities) about electric yahrzeit candles. Some hold that an actual flame better fulfills the connection to “the soul of man is the lamp of God.” Others permit electric lights when safety requires them. Consider electric options in high-risk settings or if there is real worry about fire safety, such as in nursing homes or hospitals.

What should I do if I forgot to light the yahrzeit candle?

Do I light one candle for multiple yahrzeits or separate candles?

When more than one family yahrzeit falls on the same Hebrew date, halachic authorities say to light a separate yahrzeit candle for each person being remembered. Each neshamah deserves its own recognition through its own memorial light. Giving separate tzedakah in each person’s memory is also better than one combined donation.