Vigils and memorial services are somber events that focus attention on the tragedy of animal farming and slaughter. They are a time to remember the losses suffered by each of the more than 55 billion individuals animals murdered by agribusiness each year. These events can be as elaborate as funeral processions or as straightforward as candlelight vigils.

Click here for FARM's 2008 Slaughterhouse Vigil Report

To plan a memorial or vigil, register your event with FARM to receive an Event Pack, and read up on planning an event and effective media. You will need to coordinate and outreach strategically to optimize visibilty, press, and volunteer turn out

Props, such as candles, black ribbons, somber music, and funeral attire can create a very dramatic effect. Activists can also conduct a fast to increase the media appeal of the event, and to bring attention to the millions of people who go hungry as grains are fed to livestock instead.

Vigils can be added on to many other events, such as protests, demos, information tables, cage-ins, and more. A funeral procession can be added to a march for animals. Vigils can be done in highly public areas for maximum visibility, or they can be don ein strategic locations, such as in front of a slaughterhouse. Regardless of the nature of the vigil or memorial service, it will be more effective if more activists take part, so effective outreach and planning are key.