On September 15th, Bethesda Project held a memorial for four of our Bethesda North Broad Street residents who had passed away since the beginning of the year: Anthony, David, Ray and Lynn. Normally, Bethesda Project holds separate ceremonies to honor our deceased members; however, COVID-19 restrictions prevented gatherings for over six months. As a result, we honored those we lost this year together.

Memorials are important for our Bethesda Project family. People experiencing homelessness do not receive guidance about end-of-life issues. They often fear that their death will go unnoticed and without remembrance. They might worry about the prospect of being found dead in an alleyway or otherwise unidentifiable.  In addition, some prefer that relatives not be contacted after their death out of concern that they will create a sudden financial burden or sir up negative memories from the past.

These circumstance place Bethesda Project - a family with those who have none - in a unique and privileged position. We assure each member that they are indeed important to us. We will genuinely miss them, and they will be remembered and cherished as brothers and sisters. We promise that their passing, like in any other family, will be honored in a respectful and spiritual manner.

Bethesda North Broad’s service was held twice on the 15th to accommodate additional guests while following protocols for spatial distancing.  In every other way it had the feel of Bethesda Project family throughout: informal, reverent, tender, and lighthearted. Residents, staff and former staff who returned for the occasion shared precious stories of our departed friends, poignant and humorous stories which characterized the gift of their unique personalities. One new staff commented afterwards, “What a wonderful sendoff!” For Bethesda Project, it’s just something that loving families do.