Why some families are displaying white pumpkins this month

WASHINGTON — While out trick-or-treating this Halloween, you may notice pumpkins of varying . White pumpkins are a gourd color that’s becoming more common, and the meaning behind them goes far deeper than a design choice.

For many families, the white pumpkin is a symbol of pregnancy or infant loss. October marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, with Oct. 15 designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The tradition of displaying a white pumpkin has gained traction through the now-recognized White Pumpkin Project.

The movement began in 2018 when Jennifer Giles wrote a poem called “The White Pumpkin” following the stillbirth of her daughter. In 2020, she launched the with blogger Jessica Watt, encouraging families to place white pumpkins on their porches or in their