A yahrzeit candle is one of the most familiar and steady practices in Jewish mourning because it asks very little of you, yet it holds a lot. You light a flame. You remember a person. You let the light stay with you through the day. For many families, it becomes a yearly anchor—something simple you can do even when grief feels complicated.
If you’re learning this practice for the first time, you’re likely juggling a few practical questions at once: when to light yahrzeit candle, how long it should burn, where it should go in the house, what changes if the date falls on Shabbat, and what people mean when they say “yizkor candle.” This guide answers those questions in plain language, with enough detail to help you feel confident—whether you’re observing at home, in synagogue, or while traveling.
What “Yahrzeit” Means and Why a Candle Is Part of the Anniversary
Yahrzeit meaning is straightforward: the word comes from Yiddish and refers to the anniversary of a death. My Jewish Learning explains that yahrzeit is observed each year on the Jewish (Hebrew) calendar anniversary of a loved one’s death, and many people mark it at home by lighting a special long-burning candle in memory of the deceased.
This is why you will sometimes hear the yahrzeit candle described as a Jewish memorial candle. It is a physical way to mark time and to honor someone’s life year after year. The flame is small, but the act is not. It signals, “This day matters. This person matters.”
When to Light a Yahrzeit Candle
The timing detail that surprises people is that Jewish days begin at sundown. So the custom is to light the candle at sundown at the start of the yahrzeit—meaning the evening before the “day” most people are thinking of on the civil calendar. My Jewish Learning states that it is customary to light the yahrzeit candle at sundown on the Hebrew anniversary, and it notes explicitly that Jewish days begin at sundown rather than midnight.
If you’re unsure which evening that is, Hebcal’s yahrzeit calendar explains the same principle in simple terms: yahrzeit candles should be lit the evening before the date specified because the Jewish day begins at sundown on the previous night.
There are also a couple of timing “edge cases” that families commonly run into. If the yahrzeit falls on Shabbat, My Jewish Learning notes that it is customary to light the yahrzeit candle before lighting Shabbat candles. Chabad offers the same practical guidance: when a yahrtzeit coincides with Shabbat, you light the yahrtzeit candle on Friday afternoon before Shabbat candles.
If you’re working with a synagogue calendar or an online reminder, it’s also normal to see the “yahrzeit date” listed as a civil date but meant as the daytime portion of the observance. When in doubt, treat sunset as your starting line, and use a Hebrew date converter or synagogue reminder system to confirm the correct evening.
Yahrzeit Candle Burn Time: Why People Say 24 Hours, but Often Mean About 25
Many candles are sold as a 24 hour yahrzeit candle, and that label is useful because it points you toward the right category: a long-burning memorial candle designed for an all-day remembrance, often in a glass jar. But in practice, the traditional timing is closer to “from sundown to sundown,” which is why many sources describe it as roughly 25 hours.
My Jewish Learning explains that mourners traditionally keep the candle lit for the entire 25 hours from sundown on the eve of the yahrzeit to sunset on the day of the yahrzeit, allowing it to burn itself out. Reform Judaism similarly notes that memorial candles are lit just before sundown on the days yahrzeit and yizkor are observed, and that the candle burns for about 25 hours and is allowed to burn itself out.
This explains the “24 vs 25” language you may see. A candle marketed as “24-hour” is typically the right practical choice, and the observance is framed as sunset-to-sunset.
Choosing the Right Candle and Where to Buy Yahrzeit Candles
Most families choose a long-burning candle in a glass jar because it’s stable, self-contained, and familiar. If you’re shopping, look for candles specifically intended for yahrzeit/yizkor use (rather than scented jar candles meant for décor). If your household is scent-sensitive or you’ll be lighting it near photos, paper, or fabric, unscented is usually the calmest choice for daily living.
If you’re wondering where to buy yahrzeit candles, My Jewish Learning notes that these candles (often packaged inside glass jars) can be purchased at Judaica stores and online, and that many supermarkets carry them as well.
If you want a Funeral.com companion piece that explains candle types, burn times, and why white is so commonly used in Jewish contexts, the Journal article White Candles in Jewish Traditions: Shabbat Candles, Yahrzeit Memorials & What They Mean is a practical, beginner-friendly read that stays focused on what families actually do at home.
Placement and Yahrzeit Candle Safety
A yahrzeit candle is meant to burn for many hours, which means the setup matters. Safety is not a “side note” in this ritual—safety is part of dignity. Reform Judaism specifically recommends taking precautions when candles are left burning, including placing the candle on a foil-lined metal baking tray in a place where it is not likely to be knocked over.
For a broader, non-denominational safety baseline, the National Fire Protection Association advises keeping candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. NFPA The U.S. Fire Administration emphasizes similar principles—stable holders, placement where the candle can’t be knocked down, and keeping candles at least 12 inches from combustibles—and it also encourages battery-operated flameless candles as a safer alternative in many homes.
Jewish sources acknowledge this reality directly. My Jewish Learning notes that if you are concerned about potential fire hazards, you can use an electric yahrzeit candle. If your home includes curious pets, small children, mobility concerns, or a building with strict rules about open flames, an electric alternative is often the most peaceful way to keep the practice consistent without adding anxiety.
What People Often Do on Yahrzeit Besides Lighting the Candle
Different families and communities observe yahrzeit differently, but a few practices show up again and again. My Jewish Learning notes that in synagogue, yahrzeit is observed by reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish, and it describes the common practice of memorial plaques that are illuminated on the yahrzeit.
Many people also choose a personal, quiet addition at home: saying the person’s name out loud, sharing a story at dinner, visiting the grave when possible, or making a donation in the person’s memory. The tone of the day is often less about “doing everything” and more about doing something that feels honest and sustainable year after year.
Yizkor: What It Is, When It Happens, and Why a Yizkor Candle Is Lit
If yahrzeit is the yearly anniversary for one person, Yizkor is a communal memorial moment built into the holiday calendar. Chabad explains that Yizkor is a special memorial prayer recited in synagogue four times a year—on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, the last day of Passover, and the second day of Shavuot (in many Diaspora communities).
Because those services have a remembrance focus, many families light a yizkor candle as part of preparing for the holiday. Reform Judaism notes that memorial candles are lit just before sundown on the days yahrzeit and yizkor are observed, and that the candle burns for about 25 hours and is allowed to burn itself out.
If you are wondering who observes Yizkor, Reform Judaism explains that memorial customs (including lighting a yizkor candle and joining in congregational Yizkor prayers) are customarily observed in memory of one’s parents, siblings, spouses, and children, and it notes that some people choose to observe memorial customs for other relationships as well.
Chabad also highlights two details that are helpful to know before you walk into services. First, it notes a common custom for those with both parents alive to leave the synagogue during Yizkor. Second, it explains that a central component of Yizkor is a personal pledge to give charity following the holiday in honor of the deceased.
Communities differ in specific practice and wording, and Israeli holiday calendars differ from Diaspora calendars in some timing details. The simplest, most respectful approach is to follow the schedule and cues of the synagogue you’re attending and ask a rabbi or gabbai if you’re unsure. Candle timing, however, remains consistent: the candle is generally lit before the holiday begins at sundown so it can burn through the remembrance window.
Observing at Home, in Synagogue, or While Traveling
At home, the candle often becomes part of a small remembrance space: a safe surface, the candle, perhaps a photo, and a moment of quiet. In synagogue, the observance may be carried through Kaddish, plaque lighting, or holiday Yizkor services. My Jewish Learning notes that some synagogues also provide reminders or maintain memorial walls, which can be especially helpful if you’re still learning the Hebrew date rhythm.
While traveling, the practical challenges tend to be open-flame restrictions and time zones. If you’re staying in a hotel or visiting family where an open flame isn’t safe, an electric memorial light can preserve the intention without risk. My Jewish Learning explicitly suggests an electric yahrzeit candle when fire hazards are a concern. If you’re traveling across time zones, many rabbis will advise observing according to the local time where you are when the yahrzeit begins, but community practice can vary; using a synagogue calendar or a tool like Hebcal can help you confirm the correct evening.
If Your Home Memorial Includes an Urn or Keepsakes
Many families keep a small remembrance space that combines candlelight with a photo or other keepsakes. In some households, that also includes cremated remains in an urn or keepsake urn—especially in families with mixed practices or modern arrangements. If that describes your situation, the goal is still the same: keep the space calm, stable, and safe. Funeral.com’s Memorial Candle Etiquette guide includes practical placement and safety considerations that translate well to home setups, especially when a candle sits near meaningful objects.
If you are choosing a memorial container for ashes (whether for home display or to share small portions among relatives), you can browse cremation urns for ashes and keepsake urns to see options that prioritize secure closures and stable bases—two details that matter when candlelight is part of the same remembrance space.
A Gentle Closing Thought
The yahrzeit candle is not meant to be a performance. It’s meant to be a steady act of memory—something you can return to year after year, even as grief changes shape. If you’re observing for the first time, it’s okay to keep it simple. Light the yahrzeit candle at sundown as the day begins, let it burn through the remembrance window, and allow yourself one honest moment of connection. The rest—the prayers, the synagogue customs, the Yizkor rhythm—can unfold with time and support.
