1,656 Bodies Buried in Mass Grave
The cremated remains of 1,656 people were buried in a mass grave Wednesday following a memorial service at the Los Angeles County Crematory and Cemetery in Boyle Heights.
Those buried - many of whom were homeless or unidentified - were unclaimed by family or friends.
"These are individuals that, for one reason or another, have no one but the county to provide them with a respectful and dignified burial," said L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, who attended the memorial service.
"Regardless of what their status in life was, each one of their lives mattered. It matters to us," said Knabe.
Every year since 1896, the L.A. County has buried unclaimed bodies in a mass grave. The county stores the remains of unidentified or unclaimed persons for three years before burials proceed.
More than three dozen people attended the memorial service Wednesday at the county cemetery - the largest turnout in more than 30 years, according to one cemetery caretaker.
