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Naming the Lost Memorials

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2021 Archive

Photo: Robin Michals

2020

2021

2023

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2025

In March of 2021, Naming the Lost Memorials joined forces with the Caring Majority to create a memorial honoring the at-the-time 15,000 people who died of COVID-19 in New York State nursing homes. Along with our partners at the Caring Majority, we wished to emphasize that these deaths were a result of then-Governor Cuomo’s decision to move elders who were sick with COVID out of the hospitals and back into the nursing homes, recklessly endangering the lives of thousands of vulnerable people. 

Later that year, we created our first community memorial at Green-Wood Cemetery. Our sense at the time was that, while all New Yorkers had an acute personal experience of the pandemic, of the constant sirens that filled our neighborhoods, there was a need for New Yorkers of different backgrounds to come together to mourn in community. 

So we invited 20 community-based groups to contribute to the memorial. With support from Green-Wood staff, including Gabrielle Gatto, we set up an art studio in Green-Wood Cemetery’s historic chapel. Groups of people could come and sit together and make art honoring their loved ones. Then, we together installed the artwork on mesh attached to Green-Wood’s fence and held an activation ceremony in the chapel, where we brought together music, dance, and ritual to dedicate the memorial: a space not only for the dead, but also for the living.

Timeline

Memorial at Valentino Pier (Red Hook, Brooklyn) 

Created by the NTLM planning team with community partner the Caring Majority.

Memorial at Green-Wood Cemetery (Sunset Park, Brooklyn). 

Created by the NTLM planning team with community partners Academy of Medical and Public Health Services; Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts; Bronx Documentary Center; Brooklyn Roots; Building Stories, LLC; the Caring Majority; Center for Family Life; Guyana Cultural Association of New York; Fort Tryon Jewish Center; Flushing Town Hall; Hebrew Tabernacle; Inside Change Arts: Bowery Resident and Street Artists; Inside Change Arts: The 5th Grade Formulators of the Bedford Village School; JouvayFest Collective; Makandal: Bridging the Past and the Future of Traditional Haitian Arts; Teachers & Writers Collaborative; Mazarte Dance Company Inc.; Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders; Missing Them, a COVID-19 memorial with THE CITY newsroom; Mixteca; and Worker Justice Project.

Performers & ritual leaders included: Judith Berkson; Brooklyn Arts Lullabies (Bereather Reddy, Eleonore Weill, Jihene Serkhane); Winston ‘Jeggae’ Hoppie; Aeilushi Mistry; Monica Hope & Kelvyn Bell; La Troupe Makandal; Mazarte and Villalobos Brothers; Jose Ortiz; Rev. Kate Salisbury; and Kay Turner.

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Group holding "Naming The Lost" banner, candles and flowers on table.

“We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” has been dedicated. Front row, left to right: Jihene Serkhane, Monica Hope, Jenny Romaine, Martha Zarate-Alvarez, Hanna Griff-Sleven, Elena Martinez, Kay Turner, Beareather Reddy, and Alexa Avilés. Back row, left to right: Rev. Kate Salisbury, Kelvyn Bell, Megan Paradis-Hanley, Eleanore Weill, Winton “Jeggae” Hoppie, and members of La Troupe Makandal, inside the Historic Chapel at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.1967.A)

Woman in colorful dress performing, audience seated in church.

Jihene Serkhane of Brooklyn Roots closing out the “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” Activation & Dedication Ceremony at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.1965.A)

Woman with hurdy-gurdy performing before audience and stained glass window.

Eleanore Weill of Brooklyn Roots performing at the “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” Activation & Dedication ceremony at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.1929.A)

Person leads a "Naming the Lost" demonstration in front of a stone archway.

La Troupe Makandal leads the Naming The Lost Memorial procession from Green-Wood Cemetery’s Gothic Arch up to the Historic Chapel, in The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.1938.A)

Musicians play for dancers with umbrellas at a memorial event.

Los Hermanos Villalobos accompanying the Mazarte dancers to kick off the “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” Activation & Dedication Ceremony procession at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.1932.A)

The Activation ceremony for 2021’s “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. The procession begins at Green-Wood Cemetery’s Gothic Arch with a dance performance by Martha Zarate-Alvarez and Mazarte accompanied by Los Hermanos Villalobos, and is lead to the Historic Chapel by banner holders Alexa Aviles and Mary Feaster followed by La Troupe Makandal. The procession is greated at the chapel doors (shown at the beginning) by Maria Gallindo and Jenny Romaine with drummer Dr. Drum (aka Jose Ortiz). The ceremony continues inside the chapel with speeches by Alexa Aviles of Brooklyn Community Board 7, Lisa Alpert of Green-Wood Cemetery, Jenny Romaine, followed by performance by singer Monica Hope with guitarist Kelvyn Bell, libation given by djembe drummer Winton “Jeggae” Hoppie with the help of Lois Wilcken, Rev. Kate Salisbury, cantor Judith Berkson, and a Mazarte dance performance. Kay Turner then leads a Candle Ceremony, with singing by Aeilushi Mistry. The cermony concludes with Brooklyn Roots presenting lullabies performed by Beareather Reddy, Eleanore Weill, and Jihene Serkhane. Filmed and edited by Daniela López Amézquita. (SP_MEM_MI.1992.A)

Memorial wall with crosses, hearts, and artwork. Remembering loved ones.

Mixteca installing their contribution to “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 7th, 2021. Photographed by Kay Turner. (SP_MEM_IM.0856.A)

Memorial fence with handwritten tributes "Lost to Covid, Naming the Lost.

Many name templates were created by our 21 Community Partner organizations from across New York City and contributed to “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, up from June 8–28, 2021. Photographed by Kay Turner. (SP_MEM_IM.0827.A)

Group at "Naming the Lost" COVID memorial with art panels. Includes text like "Lost to COVID," "We Mourn," and names of the deceased.

Annie Ferdous and the Bangladeshi International Performance Association installation team in front of their contribution at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, June 7th, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.0117.A)

Memorial gate with signs in Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, and English. "Naming the Lost" is visible.

Front gate of Green-Wood Cemetery at 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, the last day of installation, June 7th, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.0095.A)

Three women stand by a memorial fence with tributes. "Naming the Lost" is visible on signs.

Community partners Teachers & Writers Collaborative with their contribution to “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, up from June 8–28, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.0115.A)

People creating memorial art on a fence, "Naming the Lost" visible.

Installation of “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” continued despite the rain at The Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, June 7th, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.0087.A)

Woman creates memorial art for those lost to COVID. Memorial art on fence.

Template making at “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” at Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, up from June 7th, 2021. Photographed by Kay Turner. (SP_MEM_IM.0836.A)

Crowd at Green-Wood Cemetery for "Naming the Lost" dedication.

Procession in the rain for the memorial activation of “We Remember: A Community COVID memorial” at Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Created by the NTLM team. Photographed by Kay Turner. (SP_MEM_IM.1049.A)

Man playing drum in church doorway, wearing mask and hat.

José “Dr. Drum” Ortiz leading the drum call at the activation ceremony for “We Remember: A Community COVID memorial” at Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.1925.A)

Group holding candles at "Naming the Lost" event, some wearing masks.

Kay Turner leads the community in naming the lost during the “We Remember: A Community COVID memorial” activation ceremony at Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.1955.A)

Cultural dance performance in a cathedral with colorful costumes and props.

Mazarte leads the community in dance at the activation ceremony for “We Remember: A Community COVID memorial” at Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, on June 8, 2021. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.1952.A).

Woman with glasses crafting with feathers at a workshop. Face mask nearby.

Creating memorial artwork inside the Historic Chapel in Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY. Photographed by Kay Turner on May 26, 2021. (SP_MEM_IM.1076.A)

Person wearing a mask coloring a "We Mourn COVID" sign at the 2021_12_NTLM-Workshop-2021-KayTurner-01-IMG_7138 event.

Creating memorial artwork inside the Historic Chapel at Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY. Photographed by Kay Turner on May 26, 2021. (SP_MEM_IM.1082.A)

Memorial ribbons with names of COVID victims in a NY state nursing home. 2021_01_Brooklyn_NY-KT-07-IMG_5971.

In March 2021, we partnered with Caring Majority to make a memorial honoring the more that 15,000 people who died from COVID-19 in nursing homes. Each slip of pink or white paper represented one person. Created by the NTLM team, Raphael Mishler, Mary Feaster, and Harrison Green. Installed at the Valentino Pier, Brooklyn, NY, on March 25, 2021. Photographed by Kay Turner. (SP_MEM_IM.0029.A)

Group at "Naming The Lost" event, woman reading, masks worn.

Rabbi Ellen Lippman led the ritual at the pier, and then-City Council Member Brad Lander spoke. Created by the NTLM team and installed at the Valentino Pier, Brooklyn, NY, on March 25, 2021. Photographed by Natasha Gornick. (SP_MEM_IM.1685.A)

Two women tie pink ribbons to a railing overlooking water, possibly for an event like "2021_03_NTLM_3-25_Action_0-IMG_7047.

Megan Paradis Hanley and Ellen Lippman installing the memorial on Valentino Pier, Brooklyn, NY, on March 25, 2021. Created by the NTLM team. Photographed by Natasha Gornick. (SP_MEM_IM.1687.A)

Woman adding memorial cards to a fence, remembering those lost.

Journalists from the City’s Missing Them project install their memorial panel in “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” at Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, up from June 8–28, 2021. Created by The City. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.0136.A)

Woman smiles by fence with art, "Naming the Lost.

Sandra Bell works on “We Remember: A Community COVID Memorial” at Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, up from June 8–28, 2021. Created by the NTLM team. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.0138.A)

Memorial display of handmade hearts and crosses with photos and messages like "Miss You Dad.

Memorial installation for “We Remember: A Community COVID memorial” at Green-Wood, 25th St. & 5th ave., Brooklyn, NY, up from June 8–28, 2021. Created by the NTLM team. Photographed by Kesler Pierre. (SP_MEM_IM.0125.A)