Over 100 unhoused people died in S.F. last year. A memorial service tries to remember all of them.

"The ceremony was organized by members of San Francisco's Homeless Outreach Team, who regularly wander the city's streets, looking for people who need a bed. They also provide case management to those who have been in and out of the shelter system. It's a tough job for those who got into this line of work to aid people. "We do our best to get through obstacles," said one veteran outreach worker, addressing the group. But sometimes the obstacles win."

"The person you're assisting may reject addiction treatment, or prefer to sleep on the street. At the same time, there never seems to be enough beds to meet demand. "Sometimes," he said, "you get someone to housing and they still don't make it." It was important to remember, he said, that even a small act, like handing someone a bottle of water, can make a difference in their life."

A memorial service for more than 100 unhoused people who died in San Francisco in 2025 was held at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church and organized by the Homeless Outreach Team. Outreach workers and volunteers who search streets for people needing beds and provide case management attended and described the work as difficult. Obstacles include people rejecting treatment, preferring to sleep on the street, and an ongoing shortage of shelter beds. Workers emphasized that small acts, such as handing someone water, can matter. Lydia Bransten of the Gubbio Project said loss can harden or open hearts. Over 100 names were read aloud, and one deceased person had been previously encountered during a Bayview encampment sweep.

Read at Mission Local