Each year, the county sees an average of 35 people who die without the means to be buried. The county pays roughly $1,700 for each cremation.

Special to the Daily News

FORT WALTON BEACH — The unclaimed remains of approximately 40 people will be laid to rest in Lazarus Field on Nov. 2.

An ecumenical ceremony will be held to remember the individuals at Beal Memorial Cemetery at 10 a.m.

Each year, the county sees an average of 35 people who die without the means to be buried. The county pays roughly $1,700 for each cremation.

Last year, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of seven adjacent plots from Fort Walton Beach, which owns the cemetery, to bury existing and future remains. Last year’s deceased include homeless adults, abandoned infants and indigent elderly patients in nursing homes.

This year, the ages range from 30 years old to seniors citizens, with an equal number of men and women. Some of the the individuals did not have the money for burial, while others were abandoned.

The ecumenical community will host the ceremony, which will include two choirs, one from Striving for Perfection Church and the other from Beulah Baptist Church. Many area ministers are participating, with reflections given by Monsignor Slade Crawford.

A “Book of the Dead” has each name and date of death entered on display at the cemetery.

The ceremony is open to the public. For more information go to: www.blessingoftheemeraldcoast.com/