As a spiritual practice for someone you know who is dying or who has recently died, light a seven-day candle on your altar. As the flame takes hold of the wick, pray that its light will expand and encompass the soul of the departed friend. Offer prayers of reassurance to your friend that this small flame will join the heavenly light of great beauty that the dying see as they leave their bodies.

Pray that this combined light will quickly and smoothly escort the person's soul into the next realms. Each time you see the candle during the week, mentally and spiritually send the light from the flame to assist the soul in its journey.

Tom Cowan in The Way of the Saints