LOS ANGELES — Under a gray sky, a crowd of people joined Los Angeles County elected leaders Thursday in an annual non-denominational, interfaith ceremony to lay to rest some 1,865 unclaimed individuals who died in 2021.

The Board of Supervisors, along with the Department of Health Services, the Office of Decedent Affairs and Los Angeles General Medical Center Chaplains, ran the service at the LA County Cemetery.

What You Need To Know

  • Thursday's Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead marked the first time since the coronavirus pandemic that the county lifted the cap on the number of attendees

  • There is a three-year waiting period between the year of death and burial to allow family members to claim cremated remains

  • With music and prayers and a crowd of more than 50 people, local faith leaders presided over the burial of decedents in a single communal grave

"This ceremony is one of the more special and important things that we do as a county, upholding our commitment since 1896 that everyone in Los Angeles County, no matter their means, is laid to rest with respect and dignity," Supervisor Janice Hahn said.

Thursday's Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead marked the first time since the coronavirus pandemic that the county lifted the cap on the number of attendees. It was also live-streamed on online.

"It matters that so many of us are here, both physically and virtually, to appreciate the lives and mourn the deaths of these 1,865 individuals," Hahn said.

"They may be complete strangers to us, but we know they are no less worthy of our recognition," she added.

Christina Ghaly, director of the county Department of Health Services added it was important to pay respects to people after they have passed, as well. She called on residents to engage, show love and compassion for people still here, who are struggling, poor, alone and potentially separated from family or friends.

"May each of us find a day to do that today, tomorrow and everyday, so that we can really bring respect to the lives that surround us," Ghaly said.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath noted several of the people being buried had died at the height of the pandemic, one of the "most challenging times in recent history."

"Although this ceremony, in many ways is symbolic, it is important to remember that each one of these more than 1,800 individuals were not just a statistic," Horvath said. "They were a member of our community, and each one other their lives mattered to us."

With music and prayers, local faith leaders presided over the burial of decedents in a single communal grave, offering an opportunity to pay respects to individuals who died as a result of the pandemic and other causes. County officials confirmed a total 262 participants gathered for the ceremony.

Since 1896, the ceremony has honored those who died but went unclaimed. The Office of Decedent Affairs manages cremation and burial for indigent/unclaimed individuals who die within the county's jurisdiction. These individuals may be homeless or have no next of kin.

There is a three-year waiting period between the year of death and burial to allow family members to claim cremated remains.

Shortly before the ceremony, ashes are placed in a single communal grave with a marker indicating the year of cremation.

The Office of Decedent Affairs works with families to facilitate retrieval of remains before burial.