What began as a small Internet memorial in 1997 by members of The Compassionate Friends has expanded worldwide.

“Candles in Memory,” part of TCF’s worldwide candle lighting effort, will honor the memory of children this Sunday in a local candle-lighting ceremony.

“It’s specifically for bereaved parents and families who have experienced the death of a child of any age and from any cause,” said bereavement program coordinator Sue Rankin. “It’s a great healing to those who have lost.”

Sponsored by the DeKalb County Hospice and organized by a committee of local bereaved parents, the observance will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at

Hopkins Park Terrace Room, 1403 Sycamore Road. Music, selected readings and light refreshments will accompany the candle lighting.

“Parents are encouraged to bring a framed picture of their child to place on the memorial table,” Rankin said. “It’s kind of a neat way to share the life of their child.”

Rankin said TCF’s lighting is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world. It occurs annually at 7 p.m. local time the second Sunday in December.

“Sometimes people light candles on their own privately,” Rankin said. “It doesn’t have to be formal like ours, but it certainly can be.”

Small candles will be distributed to everyone at the Hopkin’s Park ceremony.

Each individual will come forward and light their candle from a specially designated center candle.

“In doing that, they’re saying, ‘I’m lighting this candle in honor of my child,'” Rankin said.

A rose and special ornament will be given to each family at the ceremony’s close.

“People are very thankful for the opportunity to spend time with other bereaved parents who know exactly what they’re going through,” Rankin said. “They’ve said how helpful it has been to attend a service with a specific time where they could just sit back, remember and share.”

Those unable to attend the service also have the opportunity to honor their child’s memory online in a special remembrance book featured on TCF’s national Website, www.compassionatefriends.org.

“It kind of has the same effect in that you’re able to share your child with the world,” Rankin said.

She said with the loss of a child comes a parent’s loss of the future and dreams they hold for that child.

“Children are how we carry on our name so the world never forgets,” Rankin said. “That’s the premise of events like this. To let the world know that my child mattered no matter how long they stood on this earth – to let the world know that my child continues to matter.”