Unclaimed Cremains at Coroner's Office.
There was a burial of unclaimed cremains at Philadelphia Memorial Park on
November 8, 2018
"The unique memorial event was organized by the Chester County Coroner’s Office, which had kept watch over the cremated remains of those “forgotten souls,” as they had been known in the past, after no family, loved ones, or friends could be found to claim them for burial.
Coroner Dr. Christina VandePol, speaking at the event held outside the mausoleum of the Philadelphia Memorial Park in East Whiteland, said she determined to do something to honor the men and woman who had been under her office’s care since their death. She told the assembled gathering of about two dozen people that the idea came to her after speaking with the parents of a young man who died of an accidental overdose.
“So that’s it, then?” she recalled the father saying. “He’s just another statistic.” Her mission was to insure that the remains of the unclaimed were not just numbers in a ledger.
“We are here to make sure these souls are not forgotten, and give them some sort of dignity and respect in death,” VandePol said.
The Rev. Robert P. Garrett of Downingtown led the group in prayer, quoting from Psalms that spoke of how David felt abandoned but came to realize that the Lord abandons none. “God is a father to the fatherless, and the protector of widows,” Garrett said. “He said I will never leave you, nor forsake you. The Lord is our helper.”
There were flowers an inspirational music — provided by West Chester University music professor Mark Rimpel and a bluegrass combo, Carter, Hill & Hobson. There was quiet reflection and prayers, and the singing of “Amazing Grace.”
Suicide Age 56
There was a burial of unclaimed cremains at Philadelphia Memorial Park on
November 8, 2018
"The unique memorial event was organized by the Chester County Coroner’s Office, which had kept watch over the cremated remains of those “forgotten souls,” as they had been known in the past, after no family, loved ones, or friends could be found to claim them for burial.
Coroner Dr. Christina VandePol, speaking at the event held outside the mausoleum of the Philadelphia Memorial Park in East Whiteland, said she determined to do something to honor the men and woman who had been under her office’s care since their death. She told the assembled gathering of about two dozen people that the idea came to her after speaking with the parents of a young man who died of an accidental overdose.
“So that’s it, then?” she recalled the father saying. “He’s just another statistic.” Her mission was to insure that the remains of the unclaimed were not just numbers in a ledger.
“We are here to make sure these souls are not forgotten, and give them some sort of dignity and respect in death,” VandePol said.
The Rev. Robert P. Garrett of Downingtown led the group in prayer, quoting from Psalms that spoke of how David felt abandoned but came to realize that the Lord abandons none. “God is a father to the fatherless, and the protector of widows,” Garrett said. “He said I will never leave you, nor forsake you. The Lord is our helper.”
There were flowers an inspirational music — provided by West Chester University music professor Mark Rimpel and a bluegrass combo, Carter, Hill & Hobson. There was quiet reflection and prayers, and the singing of “Amazing Grace.”
Suicide Age 56
Unclaimed Cremains at Coroner's Office.
There was a burial of unclaimed cremains at Philadelphia Memorial Park on
November 8, 2018
"The unique memorial event was organized by the Chester County Coroner’s Office, which had kept watch over the cremated remains of those “forgotten souls,” as they had been known in the past, after no family, loved ones, or friends could be found to claim them for burial.
Coroner Dr. Christina VandePol, speaking at the event held outside the mausoleum of the Philadelphia Memorial Park in East Whiteland, said she determined to do something to honor the men and woman who had been under her office’s care since their death. She told the assembled gathering of about two dozen people that the idea came to her after speaking with the parents of a young man who died of an accidental overdose.
“So that’s it, then?” she recalled the father saying. “He’s just another statistic.” Her mission was to insure that the remains of the unclaimed were not just numbers in a ledger.
“We are here to make sure these souls are not forgotten, and give them some sort of dignity and respect in death,” VandePol said.
The Rev. Robert P. Garrett of Downingtown led the group in prayer, quoting from Psalms that spoke of how David felt abandoned but came to realize that the Lord abandons none. “God is a father to the fatherless, and the protector of widows,” Garrett said. “He said I will never leave you, nor forsake you. The Lord is our helper.”
There were flowers an inspirational music — provided by West Chester University music professor Mark Rimpel and a bluegrass combo, Carter, Hill & Hobson. There was quiet reflection and prayers, and the singing of “Amazing Grace.”
Suicide Age 56
There was a burial of unclaimed cremains at Philadelphia Memorial Park on
November 8, 2018
"The unique memorial event was organized by the Chester County Coroner’s Office, which had kept watch over the cremated remains of those “forgotten souls,” as they had been known in the past, after no family, loved ones, or friends could be found to claim them for burial.
Coroner Dr. Christina VandePol, speaking at the event held outside the mausoleum of the Philadelphia Memorial Park in East Whiteland, said she determined to do something to honor the men and woman who had been under her office’s care since their death. She told the assembled gathering of about two dozen people that the idea came to her after speaking with the parents of a young man who died of an accidental overdose.
“So that’s it, then?” she recalled the father saying. “He’s just another statistic.” Her mission was to insure that the remains of the unclaimed were not just numbers in a ledger.
“We are here to make sure these souls are not forgotten, and give them some sort of dignity and respect in death,” VandePol said.
The Rev. Robert P. Garrett of Downingtown led the group in prayer, quoting from Psalms that spoke of how David felt abandoned but came to realize that the Lord abandons none. “God is a father to the fatherless, and the protector of widows,” Garrett said. “He said I will never leave you, nor forsake you. The Lord is our helper.”
There were flowers an inspirational music — provided by West Chester University music professor Mark Rimpel and a bluegrass combo, Carter, Hill & Hobson. There was quiet reflection and prayers, and the singing of “Amazing Grace.”
Suicide Age 56
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
