Remembering the Homeless

For just over a decade an annual service to mark the death’s of those that have died homeless on the streets of London throughout the past year is held at St. Martin-in-the Fields Church. The Homeless Commemoration Mass can be the only time that their deaths are given proper recognition, as many die alone and unnoticed. On November 10th 140 names were read out to the congregation, a tragic increase from last year’s 116. The Reverend Richard Carter said: “Each person is a name, each person is a character….We’re not just talking about homeless people who have died. We’re talking about people… and it’s a tragedy that so many are still dying needing help.” Cards with the names of each of the dead were handed out to churchgoers, so they can be kept and remembered over the year.