Advocates for homeless in Miami honored 172 people who died in 2025 without a home
By Daniel Rivero, Sergio R. Bustos
December 19, 2025 at 6:30 AM EST
The names of 172 people who died in the last year — while experiencing homelessness in Miami-Dade — were read aloud during a somber and solemn vigil Friday morning in downtown Miami.
The reading of names took more than 13 minutes and is meant by vigil organizers to provide the recognition that many of the homeless lacked during their final days of life.
The list of names spanned several generations, ranging in age from 19 to 99, and included four U.S. military veterans. Twenty-six deaths were attributed to opioids, highlighting the dual crises of addiction and housing instability, vigil organizers said.
“While they may not have had a permanent or traditional address, they will have the dignity of having their name read aloud and the honor of being remembered,” said Ron Book, chair of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
“Everyone deserves to die with dignity," he said. "This is our way of making sure that happens.”
“We mourn, we remember, we reflect, and we resolve to stay diligent in our work to end homelessness in this community,” Book said.
READ MORE: How a Miami health care group is meeting homeless patients where they live
The memorial service was organized by the Homeless/Formerly Homeless Forum, Inc., Miami Homes for All, and the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
The organizers said they hope the event can encourage the community to help find permanent housing and support services for those in need.
The annual ceremony is part of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, a nationwide effort to draw attention to the tragedy of homelessness. The day is typically commemorated on Dec. 21, the longest day of the year.
It was the fifth such memorial event Daniella Levine Cava has attended as Miami Dade County mayor.
"We’re very proud that we have a wonderful program to help the homeless," she said. "Unfortunately not everyone can be helped — and then many might succumb to their addiction, or even to a violent death.
Cornelius Burnett, brother of Kinard Shirley. (5472x3072, AR: 1.78125)
Cornelius Burnett said it’s important for all the lives lost to be remembered — including his brother Kinard Shirley, who was experiencing homelessness until he and another man were murdered in a brutal attack earlier this year.
"I feel good to know that they know they do this for all the homeless people that lost their life and to be aware that there’s homeless people out here that we should help get off the streets," Burnett told WLRN. "It feels really good to be here – we have a lot of supporters that want that to happen.
After all the names were read aloud — Levine Cava — along with Shirley’s mother, released doves into the air.
The gathered crowd under the blue South Florida morning sky watched the doves fly in circles until at last they flew out of sight.
The reading of names took more than 13 minutes and is meant by vigil organizers to provide the recognition that many of the homeless lacked during their final days of life.
The list of names spanned several generations, ranging in age from 19 to 99, and included four U.S. military veterans. Twenty-six deaths were attributed to opioids, highlighting the dual crises of addiction and housing instability, vigil organizers said.
“While they may not have had a permanent or traditional address, they will have the dignity of having their name read aloud and the honor of being remembered,” said Ron Book, chair of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
“Everyone deserves to die with dignity," he said. "This is our way of making sure that happens.”
“We mourn, we remember, we reflect, and we resolve to stay diligent in our work to end homelessness in this community,” Book said.
READ MORE: How a Miami health care group is meeting homeless patients where they live
The memorial service was organized by the Homeless/Formerly Homeless Forum, Inc., Miami Homes for All, and the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
The organizers said they hope the event can encourage the community to help find permanent housing and support services for those in need.
The annual ceremony is part of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, a nationwide effort to draw attention to the tragedy of homelessness. The day is typically commemorated on Dec. 21, the longest day of the year.
It was the fifth such memorial event Daniella Levine Cava has attended as Miami Dade County mayor.
"We’re very proud that we have a wonderful program to help the homeless," she said. "Unfortunately not everyone can be helped — and then many might succumb to their addiction, or even to a violent death.
Cornelius Burnett, brother of Kinard Shirley. (5472x3072, AR: 1.78125)
Cornelius Burnett said it’s important for all the lives lost to be remembered — including his brother Kinard Shirley, who was experiencing homelessness until he and another man were murdered in a brutal attack earlier this year.
"I feel good to know that they know they do this for all the homeless people that lost their life and to be aware that there’s homeless people out here that we should help get off the streets," Burnett told WLRN. "It feels really good to be here – we have a lot of supporters that want that to happen.
After all the names were read aloud — Levine Cava — along with Shirley’s mother, released doves into the air.
The gathered crowd under the blue South Florida morning sky watched the doves fly in circles until at last they flew out of sight.