Frequently Asked Questions
This page was last updated on: Friday, 04 February 2011
How to commemorate a loved one in the home on their Yahrzeit*.
These are some suggestions as to how you could observe the Yahrzeit of a loved one in a meaningful way.
It
is traditional to light a Memorial Candle at home in honour of the relative you
are remembering the evening before the day you are observing (around sunset at
the start of the Hebrew date) and possibly to recite these prayers, which can be
found in the new MRJ Siddur (prayer book) on page 431/2 and in the older RSGB
Siddur on page 301/2:
"Today I remember with love …………….. who has gone to everlasting life and I honour his/her memory. As this light burns pure and clear, so may the thought of his/her goodness shine in my heart and strengthen me, God, to do your will. Amen".
"The memory of the righteous is as a blessing."
"God full of compassion, whose presence is over us, grant perfect rest beneath the shelter of Your presence with the holy and pure on high who shine as the lights of heaven, to …………………. who has gone to his/her everlasting home. Source of mercy, cover him/her in the shelter of Your wings forever, and bind his/her soul into the gathering of life. It is God who is his/her heritage. May s/he be at peace in his/her place of rest. Amen."
Also, you may wish to recite the Kaddish, which can be found on page 316 in the new Siddur and page 168 in the old one. There are also other memorial prayers in the adjacent pages in both Siddurim that may be helpful for you.
*Anniversary of their death.
