Festival 2026
A Day to Remember
Organised by Families Outside
Wednesday 4 November 2026, beginning at 6pm on Zoom, with Candle Lighting at 7pm
Across Scotland, with families taking part from wherever they are, plus an online gathering on Zoom.
This activity is for the Families Outside community. Please register in advance for the Zoom session.
Families Outside is the only national organisation in Scotland dedicated to supporting families affected by imprisonment. We also support families following the death of a loved one in custody, offering compassionate support through a period of grief that can be complicated by investigations, inquests and unanswered questions.
On 4 November, we are creating a shared national moment of remembrance for families across Scotland who have lost someone in custody. Because families live all over the country and often face barriers to travelling, we are bringing people together in a different way: one shared time, many individual places.
Families we have supported will receive a candle and a remembrance card, and will be invited to light their candle at 7pm that day. Each person can mark the moment in their own way, whether sitting quietly, looking at a photograph or simply taking time to remember. Families Outside staff will light candles at the same time. For those who would like to gather with others, we will also host a Zoom session on the day. We want to thank To Absent Friends, for their grant, which has allowed us to create this event.
Taking part is entirely voluntary, and nobody is expected to attend, speak or share publicly. If you have lost someone in prison, please join us in lighting a candle and remembering your loved one at 7pm on 4th Nov. Families who wish to can share a photograph of their lit candle on social media, helping to show candles being lit across Scotland. Please tag your photos with #asharedremembrance
If you would like to join this online session, please email Support@familiesoutside.org.uk and we will send you the link to join.
Please know that if you have lost a loved one who has died in prison there is support available: please contact the Families Outside helpline on 0800 254 0088 Mon-Thu 10-4 for further info. Please also note the “Support and Information for families following a death in custody” booklet, available on the SPS website.
Website: https://www.familiesoutside.org.uk/events/
This activity is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.
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