News and Events

Commemoration to Honor the Lives Lost to COVID-19

The Memorial Church at Harvard University invites community members and their families and friends to participate in a University-wide Commemoration to Honor the Lives Lost to COVID-19. The Commemoration will take place on Sunday, November 1.

From Commemoration Organizers: “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. On Sunday, November 1 at 12:15 pm, we will ring the bells of Memorial Church 22 times, each toll of the bell representing over 10,000 people in the United States and over 50,000 people worldwide who have lost their lives to COVID-19. 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.

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 November 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.