White pumpkins have become a popular part of Halloween and fall decorations. Their pale, ghostly color looks beautiful beside traditional orange pumpkins, and they can give a porch or seasonal display a softer, more elegant feel.
But a white pumpkin may sometimes represent something much more meaningful than a decorating choice.
For some families, displaying a white pumpkin during October is a way to remember a baby lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. The pumpkin serves as a quiet tribute—a small symbol of love, remembrance, and the continuing place that child holds in the family.
It is important to remember, however, that not every white pumpkin carries this meaning. Many people display them simply because they enjoy their appearance. The symbolism is personal, and a white pumpkin alone does not tell you what someone has experienced.
Why White Pumpkins Can Represent Pregnancy and Infant Loss
October is recognized in the United States as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. During this time, families and communities may honor babies who died during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
The white pumpkin has become one way some grieving parents acknowledge that loss during the Halloween season.
Unlike a traditional jack-o’-lantern, which is often associated with Halloween fun and spooky decorations, a white pumpkin can offer a more personal expression of remembrance. Some families write a baby’s name on the pumpkin, add a small ribbon, or place it somewhere meaningful at home.
The tradition is not a formal, universal custom. It is a personal symbol that has been adopted by some members of the pregnancy and infant loss community.
The Story Behind the White Pumpkin Tradition
The modern white-pumpkin remembrance tradition is often connected to Jennifer Giles, a mother who experienced the loss of her daughter, Madelyn Grace.
In 2018, Giles shared a poem titled “The White Pumpkin,” inspired by her grief and her desire to honor her daughter. The poem helped give the white pumpkin a more personal meaning for some bereaved families.
The idea later took on a more visible form through the White Pumpkin Project, which encouraged families to use white pumpkins as a way to remember babies who had died too soon.
For some parents, a white pumpkin can be a way to include their child in an autumn tradition that might otherwise feel difficult. It can also help make an often-private experience visible, allowing families to express remembrance in a way that feels right to them.
What Does a White Pumpkin on a Porch Mean?
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