Service of Commemoration at St Martin in the Fields
December 12, 2022
Every November, a non-denominational Commemoration Service is held at St Martin-in-the-Fields to remember those who have died while homeless in the previous year.
Their names are read out to a congregation largely made up of people who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness, or work closely with people facing homelessness in London.
This year’s service on Thursday 10th November included songs from people with experience of homelessness in ‘The Choir with No Name’ and ‘Streetwise Opera’. Gavin Bryars and his orchestra performed a moving rendition of ‘Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet’.
In the weeks prior to the service, London’s homelessness services provide lists of names, which are read out to the congregation. This year there were over 140 names read at the service.
As the cost of living crisis continues to push people to the edge, more and more people are experiencing homelessness. Data shows that 3,628 people were recorded as sleeping rough in the capital between July and September this year, a shocking 24% increase on the same period in 2021. This, combined with the extreme weather events of the summer and the incoming harsh winter, means it could be an increasingly deadly year for people sleeping rough.
We know homelessness is very bad for you. People often have long-term conditions and poor physical health which means that they are at a greater risk should they become ill. Shockingly, someone experiencing homelessness dies every seven hours in the UK on average. With the full effects of the cost of living crisis not yet known, it is likely that homelessness will increase even further in the months and years ahead.
Revd Richard Carter who led the service commented that “This service is one of the most important services that we hold at St Martin’s each year. Usually we remember one person who died but at this service we will be remembering more than 140.
“Our aim is to give those who died recognition, dignity and peace at the last – and to give thanks for their lives remembering also the struggles many faced to find a place of safety and home. The average age of death for a man who is street homeless is 45 and for a woman is 41 – this is a fall of two years from the previous year. The average age of the names we have read out today is 48 – in one of the richest cities in the world. As the economic situation worsens it is the poorest who will suffer most.”
Kathy Mohan OBE, Chief Executive of Housing Justice said: “This year, as every year, Housing Justice is honoured to be involved in this important service, but saddened that there is a need for it. We remember all those who have died prematurely due to homelessness in our thoughts and prayers.”
Pam Orchard, Chief Executive of The Connection said:“It’s incredibly important that we take time to remember and honour those who have died on the streets and this service provides the opportunity to do that. We all deserve to be remembered with grace and dignity.
“It is appalling that people experiencing homelessness have such a low life expectancy in today’s Britain. Having a safe and secure home is a basic human need, and yet is something that far too many people are going without.
“However, remembering those who have died is not enough. The Everyone In scheme during the pandemic showed that it is possible to provide accommodation for people on the streets, and we call on the government to do what is necessary to build on this progress, and commit to achieving their aim to end rough sleeping for good.”
