LA County Leaders, Clergy, and Community Join for a Non-Denominational Ceremony; Laying to Rest the Unclaimed Dead

LOS ANGELES, CA December 12, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Department of Health Services, the Office of Decedent Affairs, and the Los Angeles General Medical Center Chaplains, hosted a poignant non-denominational interfaith burial ceremony at the historic Los Angeles County Cemetery. The ceremony, dedicated to remembering and honoring the County’s unclaimed deceased, included the respectful burial of 1,865 decedents in a single communal grave.

The Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead, held on the morning of December 12, 2024, provided a compassionate opportunity for the community to pay their respects to individuals who passed away, many during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was presided over by local faith leaders, who led prayers including the Lord’s Prayer in various languages, representing diverse religious traditions.

This annual event, open to the public, honored the sanctity of the burial grounds with the presence of dignitaries, religious leaders, and media representatives. The ceremony was also LIVE Streamed, allowing the broader community to remotely pay their respects to the deceased.

The County of Los Angeles extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in person and virtually, ensuring that those who have passed are remembered with dignity and compassion.