When and how did the Ceremony begin?

It began back on a message board on the Prodigy Internet Service in early 1993. Several people felt the need for a ceremony to honor and recognize our pets who are no longer with us.

Where is the Ceremony held?

The Ceremony is done personally for each of us. Although it is available online in the chatroom in real time, most participate offline. The information in this section addresses mostly questions about the Ceremony in the chatroom. The Ceremony is held in the Monday Night Candle Ceremony chat room at RainbowsBridge.com

When does the Ceremony take place?

It is held at 10:00 pm Eastern time on Monday nights around the world.

How do I know when it is about to begin online?

The moderator of the Monday Candlelighting room will announce the beginning of the Ceremony.

Do I have to be present for the ceremony or can I do it offline?

You can do the ceremony yourself anytime.

What do I need for the Ceremony?

The Ceremony typically involves the lighting of three candles. A three-wick candle is also fine. And if you only have one candle, that is fine as well. If you are allergic to candles or have none, simply turning on an extra lamp is also fine. The idea is to send out light to our furbabies who have gone to the Bridge, and whatever is available to you is perfectly fine.

If you do have candles, you will want to gather those, as well as something to light them with. The Ceremony can be very emotional for many, so having tissues close at hand is also advisable.

When do I light the candles?

You can light them whenever you want to, although there are specific points in the Ceremony where you can light them as well. It is an individual preference.

Should I blow out the candles after the Ceremony?

You can, but you don't have to. Many people leave their candles burning for awhile after.

What else do I have to do during the Ceremony?

If you are in one of the chatrooms, all you need to do is read and follow the text on your screen. If you are doing it yourself, you may want to read the text to yourself, or out loud; whatever is comfortable for you is right.

How long does the Ceremony last?

It lasts approximately 20 minutes online. If you are doing it yourself, it can last as long or as short as you wish it to.

I missed the Ceremony online, and feel bad about it.

The Ceremony is something that is in your heart. It can be done anytime, anywhere. Please don't feel badly if you missed it in the chatroom; you were there in spirit.

Is the Ceremony from one particular religion?

No. It is non-denominational and embraces all spiritual beliefs.

• To add your baby to the next Monday Night Candle Ceremony Tribute List click here. To enter the Monday Night Candle Ceremony prayer area click here For a detailed explanation of how the ceremony takes place click here.

  To view the upcoming Tribute List click here. To log into the Monday Night Candle Ceremony Room click here If you have an ill or distressed baby you would like to place on the Candlelight Vigil Prayer List click here.