Okaloosa County Hosts Lazarus Memorial Service

Disclaimer: We are promoting this event on behalf of a local chamber member. This event is not managed or sponsored by the Destin Chamber.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m. at the Beal Memorial Cemetery, more than 35 clergy and members from various faith communities will gather to remember and say goodbye to the invisible members of our local community. The Lazarus Memorial Service is an ecumenical ceremony to bury individuals in our community who have died without means to provide for their own burial. The ceremony provides a dignified manner to memorialize the cremains of those who otherwise would not have funeral services. It is our community’s outpouring of respect and community spirit to provide the unclaimed deceased a dignified resting place.

The ceremony has become a much-celebrated event within the faith community and in the life of our county as a dignified way to memorialize those we have lost, many of whom are senior citizens who have outlived their relatives, as well as infants and children whose parents and families are without financial means. Some individuals are those members of our community who have become estranged from their families due to mental illness. This year we have 31 individuals from 29 to 88 years of age.

Florida Statute 497.005(43) requires that each of the 67 counties ensure the proper final disposition of indigent and unclaimed deceased persons in the respective counties. Each year, Okaloosa County receives an average of 30-40 individuals who die without family support or financial means to cover the cost of interment. Other counties have begun to follow Okaloosa’s leadership and have their own ecumenical services. Okaloosa County was recognized by the Florida Association of Counties for Best Practices.

The Okaloosa County Lazarus Memorial Service has become a cherished ceremony. The name is taken from the recorded words of Jesus about the poor man named Lazarus who went to Paradise after death, after struggling on earth (Luke 16:19-21. This ceremony has buried about 800 individuals. 

Mr. Bass, Director, and the wonderful staff at Emerald Coast Funeral Home have graciously stepped up each year to host this formal ceremony to place each person to rest.  Each set of cremains is held in a box bearing the individual’s name. Prior to the ceremony, the boxes are placed inside green velvet bags for display. Those attending the outdoor ceremony can pay their final respects before the ceremony begins. A printed program is provided, which includes the order of worship, music to be shared, and a list of the individuals to be interred. The service includes ringing the cemetery bells, offering prayers, reading scripture, singing hymns and music, a message of faith and hope, and the recitation of each person’s name. The name and date of death of each interred individual is entered in The Book of Remembrance. This book is stored on site at Beal Cemetery for use by relatives and friends of the deceased. 

The event will take place rain or shine. Please bring a lawn chair to sit.