By Kenneth Books
One of the most solemn rituals of our civilization is the respectful burial of the dead. But some, whether for lack of family or loved ones’ lack of funds, are deprived of this final, sacred rite. The Lazarus Field Service provides these souls, whose bodies have been cremated, with a respectful service and final resting place at Beal Memorial Cemetery.
“When I became a county commissioner, I knew the county was responsible for unclaimed persons,” Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel said. Thus, was born the annual Lazarus Field Service, which took place Wednesday, Nov. 2, before roughly 100 spectators and participants. Clergy from several Okaloosa County churches participated with prayers and talks.
To date, seven burial plots have been obtained, Ketchel said, only one of which has been used so far. At the annual service, 45 cremains were honored and interred. All 67 Florida counties share the cost of the plots.
“We’re hoping this catches on throughout Florida,” Ketchel said. Each person’s name is entered into a Book of Life. “The Lord, we believe, honors them by giving them this sendoff,” she said.
In her introductory remarks, Ketchel said of the 45, “Your life was important. You walked among us. We believe all lives matter.”
The names were read from the Book of Life by Deacon Wayne Walker of Saint Mary Catholic Church and the Rev. Herstel Carter of Crosspoint Church. As each name was read, retired Army Master Sgt. Tom Rice sounded the bell on the Veterans Tower, which cost about half a million dollars, raised locally over three years.
The ceremony is in reference to Luke 16:19-31, in which Jesus tells a parable of the contrast between the afterlife of a rich but aloof man and that of a spiritual but poor man. The Rev. Doug Martin of Saint Peter Catholic Church, stressed that the parable focused on acts of commission and omission.
“This is a beautiful thing we’re doing here today,” Martin said. But, he added, “No one in our world feels responsibility for our brothers and sisters… We fail to notice the Lazaruses God places at our doorstep.”
Music for the ceremony was provided by the chancel choir of First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach and a soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace” was sung by Natalie McClure, accompanied by Joey Ferreira on the organ.
“This was a good, sacred, holy thing here today,” Ketchel said. “Such a beautiful outpouring from our community. It was like a veil was parted just a little bit and we saw what Heaven was like.”
