A Teaspoon of Sugar & Memories: The Grieving Candle

5 Tips for Making Your Own Grieving Candle:

Use a loved one’s favorite cup to make a candle of comfort as you grieve.
(credit: HGTV)

We seek to both let go and hold on when a loved one dies, creating a contradiction that causes major emotional turmoil in the grieving process. That’s where the DIY Grieving Candle comes in—it’s an object that encourages you to release your grief and preserve your memories.

1) Cup of Love:
Did your loved one have a favorite coffee mug? A tea set that was brought out for the best of brunches? Using it for the Grieving Candle will be a way to have those memories constantly by your side.

Credit: wikihow.com

2)Wick it Good:
Place the wick inside the cup and secure it between two skewer sticks (taped at the ends).

3) The Meltdown:
Melt the wax flakes in a double boiler pan. It’s important to be attentive here.

4) Get Sensory:
Add coloring to the wax while warm—perhaps your loved one’s favorite color—and a scent that reminds you of them.

5) Burn Away:
Pour the mixture gently into the cup and burn after letting it set.

Burn the candle knowing that like your grief, it too will diminish—but as the cup remains, you’ll be reminded that your loved one will always be with you in spirit and memory.

What would you use as a Grieving Candle? We look forward to your comments below.

More SevenPonds “Practical Tips”:

• Celebration of Life Ceremony: DIY Lighting
• The Paddle Out: Grief & Healing After Death
• Healing with Craft: A Sachet for the Stages of Grief