An online memorial is simply a place on the internet where someone is remembered. For some families, that’s a full website with photos and stories. For others, it’s a single candle with a name and a few words. Neither is better. What matters is that it suits you, and that it will still be there when you want to go back to it.
Types of online memorial
There are a few main kinds:
- Memorial websites. You build a page with photos, a life story and space for others to leave messages. Some are free, and some charge a yearly fee.
- In-memory fundraising pages. These raise money for a charity in someone’s name, often set up around the time of the funeral.
- Memorialised social media accounts. Facebook, for example, lets family ask for an account to be memorialised. Friends can still visit the profile and, depending on its settings, share memories there.
- Online memorial candles. These are simpler: a light lit in someone’s name, usually with a short message.
Many families use more than one. A fundraising page might be for the funeral, and a candle for every anniversary afterwards.
Things to think about first
Will it last? Lasting is the reason most people make an online memorial, so check what happens over time. Is there a subscription to renew? What happens if a payment lapses? A memorial that disappears after a few years can feel like losing something twice.
Who will see it? Some memorials are private. Others can be seen by anyone and may appear in search results. Think about whether you’re comfortable with that, and leave out details like home addresses or the names of children.
What do you want to say? You don’t need a long tribute. A few honest words often mean more than a polished paragraph. It can help to ask yourself what people who knew them would recognise straight away.
Who else should be involved? If others in the family are grieving too, it’s worth talking to them before you make something public, so nobody is caught by surprise.
How a candle on The Bridge of Lights works
The Bridge of Lights is a simple online memorial. There are no photos or long tributes. Each candle holds a name, a few words and, if you like, their years. Here’s how to light one:
- Choose a space on the bridge and enter their name.
- Add the years they were born and died, if you’d like to. This is optional.
- Write a short message of up to 70 characters, which is about one sentence. For example: “Your laugh still fills every room. Love you always, Dad.” Anyone can read messages, including search engines, so please don’t include contact details or the names of living people.
- Add something extra, if it feels right. A candle is complete on its own, but you can choose a coloured flame (£2), add their favourite song (£1) or get a printable certificate to keep (£2).
- Pay £1, once. There’s no subscription and nothing to renew.
We’ll email you a receipt and a seven-digit candle number. Keep the number somewhere safe. You can use it, or their name, to find their candle whenever you want to visit. If you spot a mistake after the candle is lit, email hello@bridgeoflights.org and we’ll put it right.
Candles stay on the bridge permanently, and ten pence from every pound goes to UK bereavement charities.
Sharing it with others
Once their candle is lit, you can share it on WhatsApp, Facebook or X, or copy the link into a message. Family and friends can visit it, and anyone who’d like to can light a candle of their own.
Going back to it
An online memorial doesn’t have to be something you make once and leave. Many people go back on birthdays, anniversaries or difficult days, and over time that can become a small ritual of its own.
There’s no right way to remember someone. A memorial that feels true to them, and that you can come back to, is enough.