The Top 5 Memorial Candles

When someone we know passes on, the world can feel like a hopeless, dark place. Light the way for love and laughter again with a memorial candle, which is a unique, custom-made candle that's meant to provide solace and comfort and commemorate a loved one's life. Whether it's for a person in your own family or friend group, or for someone in your social circle who has experienced loss, a memorial candle is a loving, tangible way to keep someone's memories alive. Keep a light burning in remembrance with one of the five memorial candles we love.

Pavilion Gift Company Ceramic Vessel Candle

Light the way for tranquility

Featuring a lovely message and a tranquility scent, this memorial candle is perfect for remembering those we've lost.

Best Overall

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Perfect for remembering a loved one who’s passed on, the Pavilion Gift Company Ceramic Vessel Candle comes securely packaged in a printed box, and is lovingly handcrafted from ceramic and 100 percent soy wax. The text on the front reads, “When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure,” providing sincere consolation in your time of need. Whatever the occasion, this timelessly exquisite candle can be lit in memory of your special person—let the tranquility scent (and ensuing feeling) wash over you.

Pros:

Handcrafted from soy wax and ceramic.
Prettily written, comforting text on the front.
Features a tranquility scent.
Easy to care for; wipe clean only.

Cons:

It would be nice if it came in different sizes.

OakiWay Memorial Gifts Tealight Candle

Console with care

When someone you know passes, this figurine provides sincere comfort.

Best Figurine

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When a friend or family member passes, the OakiWay Memorial Gifts Tealight Candle is a gift worth giving. Made from high-quality polished resin, this angel figurine holder holds a flickering tealight LED candle (which comes included in the package, along with a condolence card), which is convenient if you don’t want to worry about changing the candle out. Plus, the figurine makes for a refined piece of decor, as well as a memorial candle.

Pros:

Doubles as a memorial candle and a refined piece of home decor.
Includes the LED tealight and even a condolence card.
Battery provides hours of warm light.

Cons:

A tad pricey.

Carson Home Memory Pillar Candle

Breathe in peace

This Carson Home candle is pleasantly vanilla-scented, bringing you and your loved ones peaceful thoughts.

Best Scent

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Express your profound sympathy with the Carson Home Memory Pillar Candle, a flickering, flameless LED candle that’s pleasantly vanilla-scented. It’s made from real wax, unlike some other memorial candle holders, and it even has a built-in automatic timer—with six hours on, 18 hours off. The pretty cream color and caring text on the front of the candle make this product stand out, as well.

Pros:

Emits a pleasant vanilla scent.
Made from real wax, despite having a flameless LED candle.
Pretty cream color.
Has an automatic timer.

Cons:

Unfortunately, the letters tend to fade easily.

Carson Home Accents Flameless Lantern

Eliminate the mess of a candle

Keep the flame burning (via battery) with this lantern from Carson Home.

Best Battery-Powered

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Honor the cherished memory of a loved one with the Carson Home Accents Flameless Lantern, which, handily, doesn’t require the mess and clean-up of a traditional candle. This thoughtfully designed lantern is made from durable, waterproof materials, like composite wood and a stainless steel copper finish. Conveniently, it has a built-in automatic timer, and is powered by three AAA batteries. Not to mention, you can use it inside or hang it outside—wherever you want to feel a little extra peace. All in all, this lantern makes for a unique way to commemorate your special someone.

Pros:

Doesn’t require the upkeep of a regular candle.
Made from durable, waterproof materials: composite wood and a stainless steel copper finish.
Has a built-in automatic timer.
You can use it indoors or outdoors.

Cons:

The candle itself is made of plastic.

Smart Choice Yahrzeit Candle with Star of David

Provide solace and compassion

This Star of David candle is an excellent choice for the Jewish holidays.

Best Star of David

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Bring joy and light to the soul with the Yahrzeit Candle with Star of David from Smart Choice. According to Jewish tradition, a yahrzeit candle is one that’s burned for 24 hours to mark the anniversary of someone’s death; this candle makes for a wonderful physical marker of that tradition. It’s designed with elegant, top-quality glass and white wax, and will burn effortlessly for seven days.

Pros:

Crafted from elegant glass and white wax.
Burns for seven days.
Provides a tasteful, poignant physical marker for the anniversary of your loved one’s passing.

Cons:

At 1.2 pounds, it’s a little heavier than most.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of a memorial candle?

The ritual of lighting a candle to honor someone who has passed on helps that person’s loved ones to remember them, and serves as a reminder to reflect on their legacy.

What color is best for a memorial candle?

Traditionally, most memorial candles are white—but there are no hard and fast rules. You could opt for a candle in the shade of the person’s favorite color, for example.

Can I personalize a memorial candle?

Yes, most come with the option for personalization; you can incorporate a photo, favorite artwork, or thoughtful message to make your memorial candle as special and unique as possible.