Checklist for Yizkor:

1.     Light a candle on the eve of the holiday in which yizkor is said.  For example, if Yom Kippur started on Tuesday at 7pm, then you should light the yizkor candle sometime before 7pm such as 6:30pm.  If one lights on Yom Tov, the candle must be lit from a prior flame and the candle should be in a place where people will benefit from the light.

2.     Make sure that you remember or bring to shul with you their full Hebrew name which includes their Hebrew name and their mother’s Hebrew name  or father’s Hebrew name.  The format of their name is their Hebrew name “ben” (son of) or “bat” (daughter of) their mother or father’s name.  Ashkenamiz mention son/daughter of the father’s name while sefardim mention son/daughter of the mother name.[1]

3.     You would be really prepared if you even looked into some charities, shuls, or Jewish schools to send your tzedakah to before Yizkor so that you can easily do it after you say yizkor when the festival is over.  Also, make a note to yourself to give the charity after Yizkor.  The prayer will not benefit your loved one very much if you do not carry out the pledge you recited on Yizkor.

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[1] Gesher ha’Chayim 31:2:3