Public Mass at Mt. Calvary Chapel set for Nov. 2 to honor remains of the unclaimed dead

MANCHESTER, NH — Cremation Society of New Hampshire and Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium again will collaborate with Mt. Calvary Cemetery to offer a “home” for unclaimed cremated remains. A public mass to honor and accept the unclaimed remains of 35 people is set for Sunday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Chapel, 474 Goffstown Road. The event coincides with All Souls’ Day, a Roman Catholic observance dedicated to praying for the souls of the departed.

“Honoring the unclaimed remains through this annual service is deeply meaningful to us. These individuals deserve dignity, respect, and remembrance,” said Arthur “Buddy” Phaneuf, President of Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium. “By providing a final resting place and holding this public mass, we ensure that no one is forgotten, and we offer the community a chance to come together in kindness and compassion. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection and respect for life. 

The service offers an opportunity for friends, relatives, and members of the community to pay their respects. A list of the names, birth and death years, and known hometowns of the individuals whose remains are unclaimed is provided in hopes that someone may recognize a name and attend the mass or make alternative arrangements for a final resting place within the family.

Each year in many funeral homes there are left unclaimed remains. Phaneuf makes every effort to contact family members, but in some cases, the remains are left behind due to a lack of living relatives, unaware distant family members, or overwhelming grief that prevents loved ones from retrieving them.

The unclaimed remains do not fit into any particular demographic; they include individuals from all walks of life: babies, the elderly, and people of various ages and backgrounds. While New Hampshire law requires remains to be held for at least 30 days before they can be discarded, Phaneuf does not discard unclaimed remains. Instead, Phaneuf works with Mt. Calvary Cemetery to ensure they are interred in a permanent and respectful location.

This year’s Mass is an opportunity for the public to join in honoring those who have passed on but remain unclaimed. Members of Phaneuf’s staff will be in attendance, and the event often sees an outpouring of love and compassion from the community.

All are welcome to attend this moving service to offer kindness, respect, and remembrance to those who have gone unclaimed.