Remembrance Service Honors 32 Homeless Individuals in Southampton

A remembrance service in Southampton honored 32 homeless individuals who passed away in 2024. This event, held at St Mary’s Church, marks the second consecutive year that homeless support organizations have collaborated to organize such a service. Ryan, who has experienced homelessness for three months, was present at the service to commemorate his friend, Simon McCarthy. He described the loss of his friend following his own experience of homelessness as feeling like “a piece just vanished.” Ryan further stated: “[Simon] would keep everyone happy, even if we’re down he would make us smile with his little puns, his little jokes but finding out when he had gone, that kind of broke my heart it’s like a piece just vanished.” The commemorative gathering united various service providers dedicated to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. Ellie Hedge, a complex needs navigator with the charity Change Grow Live, commented: “I think it’s good that we remember those that we’ve lost and obviously look back on it to think what we can improve and how we can reduce homelessness, reduce the amount of drugs in the city.” According to a spokesperson, the service provided an occasion for individuals who had known the deceased. The spokesperson further noted: “Especially others from our city’s homeless population, who may not have been invited to a family funeral, as well as a chance to raise awareness of the very low life expectancy of homeless people.” Richard Gammage, chief executive of the homelessness charity Two Saints, remarked: “Their life chances perhaps have not been the same, they will all have experienced trauma at some stage in their lives, nobody chooses to be homeless and it’s an important mark of respect for people as we remember what they have contributed to us.” The individuals honored at the service included one man whose identity remains unknown. Following the event, participants placed flowers in a meadow of remembrance, which will stay on display within the church. Ryan expressed that the event served as a reminder that homeless individuals “got a voice, they’ve also got feelings.” He continued: “It’s amazing being part of a service that actually care about the homeless and not sat behind a desk thinking ‘shall we pass him onto this person.'”