Fall leaves frame the steeple of the Memorial Church in Harvard Yard. The church bell will ring 22 times on Nov. 1, in commemoration of the lives lost to COVID-19. Photo by Jeffrey Blackwell/MemChurch Communications
Commemoration
We invite you to participate in a University-wide Commemoration to Honor the Lives Lost to COVID-19 on Sunday, Nov. 1. In light of the innumerable losses that members of our Harvard community and beyond have experienced since the start of the pandemic, our hope is that this commemoration can be a moment to mark the ongoing tragedy and to honor those who have passed away. Following the 11 am Sunday service on Nov. 1, at 12:15 pm, we will toll the bell of the church 22 times, one toll for every 10,000 people in this country who have lost their lives to Covid, and for every 50,000 or more people worldwide. The commemoration, with remarks from President Lawrence Bacow and campus religious leaders, will be available to view at memorialchurch.harvard.edu and on the Memorial Church YouTube page, at 12:15 pm.
We invite all members of the Harvard community to participate in this commemoration by sharing names and photographs of loved ones who have lost their lives to COVID-19. Names and photos collected through this form will be shared virtually as part of the commemoration on Nov. 1, and afterward online. We invite you to share this form widely within your communities. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rachel Leiken at Rachel_leiken@harvard.edu.