A powerful display of red flowers was left at the altar of Saint Mary’s Church in Southampton to remember those who have died in the city in the last year whilst experiencing homelessness.
The ‘memorial field’ was part of a commemoration service to honour 27 people whose names were read out. They ranged in age from 88 to just 25 years old.
Each member of the congregation brought a germini to the front of the church, many personally knew those who had died. Among the congregation was Darren, who himself is homeless, and came to remember friends Tia and Ernest.
He said, “I’ve come to pay my respects to two lovely young people who lost their lives and to be part of this service. They meant a lot to me, and I wanted to make the effort to come and say farewell. It’s been very moving and peaceful and I’m glad I came.”
This is the third year the service has been held. In the congregation were many people from different agencies who work with the homeless, representatives from social services, hostels, drug and alcohol support, along with friends and family.
Organiser Pam Campbell said, “Today is not about a political demonstration. It’s to mark the lives of those people we remember, we worked with, and so many so young. Out of that has sprung a move to work with the City Council and the safeguarding leads to try and diminish the list.
“What often happens to people who die having experienced homelessness is they drift into anonymity. Lots of them have public health funerals and there’s no great celebration of their passing, so this is an opportunity to remember people who are otherwise quite invisible to the populace of Southampton.”
Paul Woodman, Leader from City Life Church, said, “Jesus said ‘when I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, and when I had nowhere to stay, you gave me somewhere to live’ and I think that’s why churches are at the heart of many homelessness projects around the world and it’s true in Southampton as well. We’re not the main providers, but we’ve always got that heart for people who are homeless, because of the teaching of Jesus. For us, we have a belief that Jesus will welcome people into His arms, and that was a big theme of today’s service, that they may have been homeless at some point in their lives, but there is a home for them in Jesus, in the life ever after.”
A third of those who’ve died in the city this year were women. Stories of those who died were also shared, along with memories of times together. Candles were also lit. Ellie Hedge, who works for the charity Change, Grow, Live read out a tribute to Karen Corris who died at the age of 54.
She said, “I’d worked with Karen for a very long time and built up a close relationship with her. She died quite unexpectedly, and it was my chance to have that goodbye to her and tell everyone how amazing she was. These people have stories, and they have lives and they can get forgotten so it’s lovely to be able to have that time to honour them and the people that worked with them and knew them the best.”
Helena Kurczynska has worked with the homeless for more than 20 years and was manager of a local hostel. She read out some of the names of those who died. “A lot of the homeless people don’t have a voice. There was no sort of service or memorial, so this is a way of remembering them with a bit of dignity and respect. There are quite a few names that I’m reading that I knew for a long time so for me personally, it’s nice. We read their names and think about them, light candles and they’re not forgotten.”
Among those remembered was Ernest Deputat whose body was found on Southampton Common last month and whose death is under investigation. A reminder of the dangers faced by those living on the streets. A tribute was read out from his family. Eddie, who would often sleep in the church porch at St Denys Church and sit at the back of church services, was also remembered. He died in hospital in March.
In the congregation were several members of the Southampton Street Pastors. Mike Sarson, Chair of Trustees, said, “Since Covid, we have extended our outreach work, and we do regular afternoon patrols purely to check on the welfare of the homeless. Consequently, we’ve got to know them as individuals, to understand their stories, and get an appreciation of just how vulnerable they are. This is a community with a life expectancy of about 47 years of age, so we really focus in on their welfare and link with the various support agencies. That’s why we’re here, because we care, and we know these people as people, not just a group. We know them as individuals.”
Bishop Rhiannon gave the address and spoke of each being known and loved by God. There were poems and songs, and prayers were said for comfort, peace and hope and for a renewed commitment to ‘serve with love a community where everyone is seen and valued’.
Bishop Rhiannon said, “Although this service shouldn’t have to happen, because we shouldn’t have so many homeless people who die, it was an honour to be here and a privilege to be able to speak. I felt there was a real solidarity in the church today, as we’re all thinking and praying of the people who were named. God knows their name, he loves every single one of them, and his mercy is wide.
“It’s one of the great evils of society that we let people be homeless and so the least we can do is to gather, to commend them to God, to support one another in grief. A lot of agencies have been here today, people who are really making a difference, and it’s good to support those people in their work.”
The service was held at Saint Mary’s which offers support for people experiencing homelessness. A Warm Spaces initiative provides hot food and drinks, and its Marketplace and clothing bank offer food, warm coats and hats. Southampton churches also run a winter beds project.
Pam Campbell added, “I think that you can’t help but take away from the service some sorrow, but I think you also take away a real sense of joy that you’ve celebrated those lives, and I think that really is important for so many of the people here, workers, relatives, and family.”
Paul Woodman concluded, “I hope people will take away some comfort and some strength. Some people have said to me they feel sad, other people angry, but it gives them energy to see the plight of people with homelessness improve.”
A memorial bench was brought to a special evensong at Winchester Cathedral. Usually situated at the charity Trinity Winchester, it displays the names of people who have died in the city while homeless in recent years.
Staff, volunteers and trustees from homeless charities and organisations attended the service, along with the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, High Sheriff and the city’s Mayor. Trinity Winchester and the Winchester Beacon offer accommodation and support for the homeless.
Sharon Collins, Trustee of the Winchester Beacon said “I think homelessness is quite hidden in society. People see the sharp end in terms of people sleeping in shop doorways and rough sleeping. But homelessness is the person perhaps sleeping in a car or in a tent, they might be sofa surfing, they might be living in a house with domestic violence where the relationship’s broken down but they’re unable to leave. For me, it’s important to talk about homelessness and the tragedy of people dying from being without a home and without a roof.”
61 people were remembered during the service who had dies during recent years. Many were from the same families. 4 people have died in Winchester while homeless in the last 18 months.
Amelia Riviere, Chair of Trustees at Trinity Winchester said “I think it can be easy for us to forget about the homeless, because they’re relatively invisible and we have to remember them as individuals. 100% of the backstories are appalling and you really wouldn’t expect anyone to survive, let alone have a fulfilling life off the back of them. It’s not hereditary or genetic, but it becomes sort of a norm, which is why people find it very difficult to come out of homelessness.”
Those at the service heard how homeless people are 17 times more likely to be victims of violence, more likely to struggle with addiction, have complex mental health conditions and are a higher risk of suicide. The average age of death of a homeless man is 45 years old and 43 years old for a woman.
Prayers were said for help to be generous, caring and hospitable and for all those in need, sick, sorrowful and bereaved. Thanks were given for the ministry of the Trinity centre and Winchester Beacon.
Canon Andrew Micklefield said “It’s important to remember the names of those who have died and to bring this before God. This service is also a way for us to honour the ministry of those who help the homeless. It’s good to work with people in our community and, as a Cathedral, to hold that ministry and the help that people give in so many ways.”
Sharon Collins read the lesson from Romans 8, verses 31 to 39 “I think the reading sums it up for me because it’s about God having endless love for all of us, not just people who are housed, people who have nothing and people who have everything. God’s love is there and is enduring. I think that’s an important reminder for all of us of his presence and his role in our lives.”
