Why some families are displaying white pumpkins this month

WASHINGTON — While out trick-or-treating this Halloween, you may notice pumpkins of varying colors . 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 project with blogger Jessica Watt, encouraging families to place white pumpkins on their p