As I was passing through Griswold one night after taking a long drive and admiring the many colors of fall leaves, I saw what looked like a lit up intersection off to my right. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.

Some lights flickered and twinkled like stars in the sky.

I pulled off the road to find the source of the lights. As I turned onto a little road the words Pachaug Cemetery illuminated in my headlights.

Nighttime access to the cemetery is prohibited, so I sat outside the gate and admired the many solar-powered graveside lights as cars zoomed past behind me.

Not knowing much about the area, I spoke with several residents of Griswold who all say the lights have been there for as long as they can remember. The origin of the lights goes back hundreds of years and is present in some Christian and Jewish traditions. In Roman Catholic churches there is usually at least one light that burns at the altar. These are oil lamps or wax candles and are referred to as sanctuary lamps. They are meant to be an indication of Christ’s eternal presence.

Those I spoke to regarding the lights at Pachaug Cemetery referred to them as “eternal lights.”

Although the lights grew from an old Catholic tradition, it has been adopted by many, and today the eternal lights are used at gravesides as a representation of life continuing after death.

Melanie Peltier, the manager at Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home down the road, said they sell the lights on special order. She used to sell little brass cage holders that housed real candles and resembled actual sanctuary lights.

“I haven’t sold one of those in 10 years,” said Peltier. “I guess solar lights are just easier to keep up.”

Today, the wax candles have been completely replaced by solar-powered lights. Driving through the cemetery, you can see that the tradition of the sanctuary lights has mutated. There are solar-powered butterflies, hearts, crosses, candles and angels in every color.

Racheal Ibbison, a resident in a nearby town, laid her two sons to rest at Pachaug Cemetery.

“We placed solar lights next to them to give them comfort at night,” said Ibbison, “and to symbolize that they are gone but never forgotten. Their light will continue on.”

As the tradition of the graveside lights has died down at other cemeteries throughout the years, it continues to grow at Pachaug, for whatever reason, and continues to give comfort to many in the area and bring warmth to those who have buried their loved ones there.

Kelly Congdon lives in Groton

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