Hundreds gather in Breslau, Ont. for unveiling of COVID Wall of Memories

A large crowd of over 600 people gathered in Breslau Sunday afternoon around a memorial wall covered with the names of those who died during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A large crowd of over 600 people gathered in Breslau Sunday afternoon around a memorial wall covered with the names of those who died during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Today, it's about honouring the 800 families who's names are on this wall and commemorating the loss of our neighbours, friends and family members," said Robert MacFarlane, manager of Memory Garden Funeral Home and Cemetery.

The unveiling of the COVID Wall of Memories served as a reminder of the profound impact that the pandemic had on the community.

"The loss of a loved one is obviously difficult for everybody and really today what we're here to do is just celebrate the 800 names that are on this amazing wall of memories," said MacFarlane.

The funeral home and cemetery offered the communities of the tri-cities and Guelph the opportunity to submit the names of lost loved ones.

"We started this at the start of 2022 and we invited families in the community to submit names of their loved ones that they could have eventually engraved on this wall," said MacFarlane.

For many, the COVID Wall of Memories serves as both a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit as well as a stark reminder of the importance of unity in the face of adversity.