Father's Yarzheit
Question
What is the appropriate time to light a Yairzheot candle for a parent? If I'm going out prior to sundown can I light it before sundown.
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
A Yartzeit candle is lit on the night of the Yartzeit, it would be better to light it when you get back, when it is night.
When a Yartzeit is on Shabbat, the Yartzeit candle must be lit bfore the Shabbat candles.
For the benefit of readers, we will share some of the reasons a Yartzeit candle is lit.
1. The verse states, “The soul of man is the lamp of G‑d.” As such, the candle serves to continually remember the soul of the diseased on the Yartzeit.
2. It is taught that when a soul leaves the world, it leaves behind a dark void. The Yartzeit candle symbolically replenishes this light.
3. The light of the soul is comforted by the light of the candle.
4. The Yartzeit candle helps atone for the souls of the departed.
There are other reasons, as well.
Source
Gesher Hachaim 1:20; B'tzel Hachochma 4:29; Rabbeinu Bachye to Exodus 25:31; Orchot Chaim, Hilchot Erev Yom Kippur