What does it mean to die while homeless? In modern America, this feels like one of the greatest tragedies—a result of communities abdicating their responsibility to their neighbors. This year alone, multiple Street Med patients died cold, alone, and hungry in their tents. Others died through acts of violence. And still others passed while continuing to battle their mental health and substance use disorders
On National Homeless Persons Memorial Day, we paused to remember neighbors who died while experiencing homelessness. They were more than their circumstances; each life held meaning, each story carried value, and each person was worthy of dignity, care, and belonging. We honor their lives by remembering them with compassion and respect. We hope their memory moves us beyond reflection toward greater understanding and kindness.
On Dec 21, Street Med STL held its first official memorial. In community with our unhoused friends, we wrote the names of loved ones who died living on the streets on lanterns that were lit and sent to the sky. This memorial was a mix of honor for the dead and catharsis for those still in the struggle. A total of 20 lanterns were sent into the night sky, with prayers, hope, and resolve to need fewer lanterns in the years to come.
In the last year, we have seen increasing fatigue and apathy towards the poor in our nation. Rhetoric that dehumanizes impoverished people has been used to justify punitive and cruel policies. As we reflect on the lives lost, we must remember that caring for the homeless comes with urgency. Each of these lanterns represents a human who died prematurely. A unique individual who was a son or daughter, brother or sister, father or mother. Someone who had a powerful and tragic story. Someone who had more to contribute to the world.
Thank you to all who joined to share in this remembrance, and all who will take time from their day to pause, reflect, and, in solidarity, lend some energy to the struggle to better care for our homeless citizens.
Nathanial Nolan, MD MPH MHPE
