Guilford County Social Services and Register of Deeds invite the public, faith communities, hospitals, ministries, hospices, rotaries, veterans and first responders such as law enforcement, EMS and fire to join together in this inaugural memorial for the unclaimed deceased. This special interfaith memorial service will honor individuals in our community who died and whose remains were unclaimed.
At the heart of this service is a simple belief: every life has inherent dignity, and every person deserves to be remembered.
For some of our neighbors, there was no family member available to claim their remains or no one able to provide a traditional farewell. This memorial is an opportunity for our broader community to do something beyond the legal requirements - to gather and say, in effect, you were one of us, your life mattered, and you will not be forgotten.
The service is being planned as a solemn, welcoming, interfaith and non-denominational gathering, bringing together clergy, first responders, public officials, community leaders, and residents. We anticipate including prayers or reflections from different faith traditions, live performances of song and music, a moment of silence, an honor guard from the Guilford County Sheriff's department, remembrance of those who have died, and recognition of the first responders and public servants who encounter death and loss in their work.
Our hope is that first responders and public servants who worked with these individuals in their last moments can find closure through this memorial.
The memorial will feature 74 seconds of silent reflection for the 74 unclaimed deceased who passed away in FY25-26.