Communities across the world pause to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, a solemn moment dedicated to honoring the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust, along with the millions of others who suffered and perished under Nazi persecution. It is a day to remember profound loss — but also a day to recognize extraordinary resilience, courage, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

As time moves forward, the responsibility to remember becomes even more important. Fewer survivors remain to share their firsthand experiences. Their stories — of unimaginable hardship, quiet resistance, deep faith, shattered families, and remarkable perseverance — remind us of the real people behind history’s numbers. Remembering ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust are never lost. It calls us to confront injustice, reject hatred in every form, and protect the dignity of every human life.

At Forest Lawn, we serve families of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, and we are deeply aware of the sacred significance of remembrance. Whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, or of no formal faith tradition, every family who turns to us is met with compassion, understanding, and respect for their beliefs and customs. In honoring each unique life, we affirm the values that stand firmly against discrimination and intolerance.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day invites us to reflect not only on the past, but on the world we hope to build today. A world where memory inspires empathy; where diversity is embraced; where every person’s story is honored; and where the humanity denied to so many is fiercely upheld for all.

May we light a candle, share a story, or simply hold a quiet moment of reflection. And may we commit ourselves to remembrance — so that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to guide us toward justice, compassion, and peace.