LA County to Honor 1,865 Unclaimed Dead in Annual Ceremony

The County of Los Angeles will lay to rest 1,865 unclaimed individuals in a communal grave during its annual Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead on Dec. 12.

The non-denominational service, a solemn tradition dating back to 1896, brings together faith leaders and community members to honor those who died without being claimed by family or friends.

“This non-denominational, interfaith event offers a dignified farewell to those who remain unclaimed, ensuring they are remembered with respect and compassion. This annual ceremony, a profound tradition since 1896, serves as an important reminder of our shared humanity and community responsibility,” according to the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors announcement.

The hour-long service will take place at the Los Angeles County Crematory and Cemetery at 3301 E. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90063, featuring prayers in multiple languages, including the Lord’s Prayer, led by local religious leaders representing diverse faiths. These individuals may have been homeless or had no known next of kin, with the Office of Decedent Affairs maintaining the cremated remains during a mandatory three-year waiting period to allow families time to claim them.

The ceremony is open to the public, but registration is required starting Dec. 2. Attendees can register through Eventbrite or by calling (323) 409-6945, and must present their registration ticket at the event.

Those unable to attend can participate through a Facebook livestream at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1238766333979290/.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., with parking available at the adjacent Evergreen Cemetery (204 N. Evergreen Ave.) starting at 9 a.m. Guests must enter via Evergreen Avenue and exit onto First Street.

The Office of Decedent Affairs, which manages cremation and burial services for indigent or unclaimed individuals within Los Angeles County, places the ashes in a single communal grave marked with the year of cremation. The office continues to facilitate remains retrieval for families who come forward before the burial.