Thirty-one individuals received a final farewell Saturday during Okaloosa County’s annual Lazarus Memorial Service, an interfaith ceremony that provides dignified burials for those who died without family or means.
“If this ceremony had not happened, they would, in the best of worlds, be sitting on a shelf in a funeral home, or in the worst scenario, their ashes would have been disposed of in whatever way,” County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel told those gathered at the Nov. 2 service. “However, we have chosen to be here today to make sure that our community honored each individual with a beautiful farewell, because their lives matter.”
The ceremony, now in its eighth year, has provided proper burials for nearly 800 individuals. The program has become a model for other Florida counties seeking compassionate ways to fulfill their statutory responsibility for the disposition of unclaimed deceased persons.
- “Their stories are as varied as the lives of those who are here today,” Ketchel said. “We started this eight years ago with our faith leaders as a compassionate and dignified way to take care of those who have died without family members to say farewell to them.”
County Commissioner Mel Ponder delivered the sermon, emphasizing the dignity of each life remembered. “God knew them,” Ponder said, referencing Psalm 139. “Even without an earthly family, God knows and cares for each individual.”
In his address, Ponder spoke about three key points: knowing one’s assignment, engaging with the community, and connecting others to God’s love.
- “Each one of you have a significant purpose and assignment, not only to your families, but this community we all live in,” he said. “If you don’t step in that purpose and assignment, our community is just not the same.”
The service included participation from 35 faith leaders representing various denominations, with scripture readings, prayers, and musical performances. The Veterans Tower Bell tolled to mark the hour, and the names of the deceased were recorded in the cemetery’s Book of Remembrance.
“Today we come together as a community and give witness to the difference [that] kindness and compassion can make,” Ketchel said, noting how the program has been recognized as a model for other Florida counties. “I hope you will leave the ceremony with a quiet feeling of having done something right that cannot be repaid in this world.”
The ceremony included special recognition for Emerald Coast Funeral Home and various community partners who help coordinate the annual service, which takes place each November 2 on All Souls Day.
Next year’s service will be held Monday, November 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., as announced during the ceremony.
Those remembered at the 2024 Lazarus Memorial Service were:
- Carl Bushey, 58
- Linda Caine, 74
- Marsha Carpenter, 70
- David Collins, 56
- Jonathan Collins, 62
- Alvin Crossman, 74
- Paula Cunningham-Hessler, 77
- Christopher Daly, 69
- Wanda Faircloth, 54
- Joshua Gifford, 63
- Patricia Graves, 72
- Sandra Guinn, 72
- Judy Helmick, 70
- Betty Johnson, 85
- Sammy Johnson, 50
- Evelyn Kastning, 73
- Marcy Beth Laughen, 63
- Billy Lewis, 65
- Mark Linick, 63
- Otis Littlefield, 68
- John McSweeney, 69
- Joseph Medley, 67
- Valerie Middleton, 68
- Michael Minear, 63
- Larry Nichols, 60
- Patrick O’Malley, 67
- Charles Pharr, 56
- Calvin Stoudmire, 29
- Thomas Thompson, 47
- Larry Wallace, 88
- Thomas Windham, 66
