LA County Honors Unclaimed Dead

Caylo Seals | Photo Editor

The Street Symphony sings during the Los Angeles County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The ceremony honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

One of the religious leaders at the Los Angeles County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead holds a bowl of incense over his head at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The interfaith ceremony honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

A women places a white rose on the grave marking the 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin during LA County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The 75 guests in attendance were all given a white rose. Many of the unclaimed dead were poor or homeless. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

A violinist plays before the Los Angeles County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead starts at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The ceremony honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (fourth district) speaks during the LA County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The ceremony honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis (first district) speaks during the LA County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The ceremony honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Director of Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Christina Ghaly speaks during the LA County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The ceremony honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

A women cries during the LA County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead after placing a white rose on the grave marking the 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The 75 guests in attendance were all given a white rose. Many of the unclaimed dead were poor or homeless. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis (left, first district) and Janice Hahn (fourth district) place white roses on the grave marking the unclaimed dead from 2020 during the LA County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The 75 guests in attendance were all given a white rose to place on the grave marking the 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

One of the religious leaders at the Los Angeles County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead holds a bowl of incense over his head at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The interfaith ceremony honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Guests attending the LA County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead place white roses on the grave marking the 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The 75 guests in attendance were all given a white rose. Many of the unclaimed dead were poor or homeless. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Items lay on a grave for this years LA County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The ceremony honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

A man holds a white rose during the Los Angeles County Ceremony of the Unclaimed Dead at the LA County Cemetery, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The 75 guests in attendance were all given a white rose to place on the grave marking the 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and either did not have next of kin, or were not claimed by their next of kin. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles County honors its 1,937 unclaimed dead during a ceremony in Boyle Heights.

Los Angeles County honored 1,937 individuals who died in 2020 and did not have next of kin or were not claimed by their next of kin. The interfaith ceremony was held on December 14 at the LA County Cemetery and has been an annual tradition since 1896.

The service had 75 people in attendance, as well as people viewing it via a live stream. It was the first in-person ceremony since the COVID-19 pandemic and many of the individuals who were honored died of the disease. In addition, many were homeless, poor, or undocumented immigrants.

“I make it a point to be here every year since I was elected,” said LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn (fourth district). “I think it matters that so many of us are here, both physically and virtually. To recognize the lives and mourn the deaths of people who are complete strangers to us, but who are worthy of recognition.”

Family members are given a three year grace period to locate and claim remains, and can contact the L.A. County Department of Medical Examiner/Coroner’s Office at (323) 343-0512 or the L.A. County Morgue/Office of Decedent Affairs at (323) 409-7161.