Living in Recovery Hosts 4th Annual Interfaith Memorial Service for International Overdose Awareness Day

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, Living in Recovery will host its 4th Annual Interfaith Memorial Service on Sunday, August 31, 2025, bringing the Berkshire County community together to honor lives lost to overdose, comfort the bereaved, and raise awareness about the ongoing impact of addiction.

The evening will begin with a solemn interfaith gathering at the Pittsfield Common, 100 First Street, offering a space for healing, reflection, and shared support for those grieving the loss of loved ones. Participants will then process to Park Square, where the names of individuals lost to overdose will be read aloud, ensuring that their memory lives on. We name them to affirm that they were here, that they mattered, and that they had an incredible impact on the people who loved them. They are more than how they died.

“This gathering is more than a memorial — it’s a declaration that we will no longer grieve in silence or hide our pain in shame,” said Julie MacDonald, program director of Living in Recovery. “Overdose is a devastating tragedy, not only for families, but for the entire community. Acknowledging this loss openly is an act of love, defiance, and healing. We are choosing to break the silence and create space where grief is met with compassion, not judgment.”

While Massachusetts has seen a slight decrease in overdose deaths this year, Berkshire County has experienced an increase, with two more lives lost compared to the previous year. This heartbreaking reality reinforces the urgency of local action, education, and support.

Living in Recovery invites all community members, faith leaders, and organizations to join in this moving tribute — a chance to stand together in solidarity, honor those we’ve lost, and support those still struggling.

For more information, visit www.livinginrecoverypittsfield.org or phone them at 413-570-8243