Two local me joined forces to celebrate and pray for deceased who have no one to celebrate their lives or pray for them in eternal life.

ROYAL PALM BEACH: As November approaches, the feast of All Souls (Nov. 2) serves to remind Catholics to pray for “holy souls” who have died. Two local men joined forces to celebrate and pray for deceased who have lived, loved, served, gone through life’s ups and downs and experiences, but have no one to celebrate their lives or pray for them in eternal life.

Thomas Jordan, administrator of Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, has teamed up with Father Gabriel Ghanoum, director of pastoral care at John F. Kennedy Hospital in Atlantis, after hearing about his new program, “No One Buried Alone.” The two men firmly believe in the Catholic Church teaching of resurrection and eternal life, and that all dead, no matter what their faith or background, should be treated with reverence and respect. They are expanding efforts to teach what the Church teaches: to treat the dead body with reverence.

“We are reaching out to the funeral homes and hospitals, catholic and non-Catholic,” said Jordan. “I understand that a lot of funeral homes have unclaimed remains, and what we are going to do, because it is Christian and Catholic, is emphasize a respectful retirement of these remains.”

Working with Adriana Gorrondona, a case manager for Palm Beach County Human Services Division, the men are providing funeral services and a proper burial place for those who die alone. Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery has specially designed a burial chamber called St. Joseph of Arimathea Compassion Crypt. Father Ghanoum presides at funeral services in honor of the deceased. An inscription from the Old Testament appears on the crypt: “The Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave nor forsake you.”

               “A very important aspect of my ministry is to remember in prayer our deceased patients upon the disposition of their bodies,” Father Ghanoum said. “Many of our deceased patients are blessed to have family, friends and other who arrange for appropriate services and remembrances. However, not all of our patients are that fortunate.”  

               The first burial service as part of the cemetery’s new charitable program was in July for Victoria Scalia, 100, and Barbara Kenzik, 71. A second service will be held for four individuals in late October.

Kenneth Carlton, funeral director of All County Funeral Home and Crematory, said that the new program is needed. Once Palm Beach County confirms that a deceased has no family, the body is transported to one of the county funeral homes for cremation. The funeral home takes care of the cremains, which the Catholic Church teaches should be respectfully buried or placed in a burial chamber and not scattered or discarded. 

               “I think that the new program is wonderful,” he said. “I think it is a wonderful idea.”