Western New Yorkers who never received end-of-life services were honored last night in Buffalo.

Worshipers were at the Westminster Presbyterian Church on Delaware Avenue, honoring deceased homeless Buffalonians.

Organizers say it's important to remember and respect one another, especially people whom society tends to alienate.

"They're people who love and laugh and cry and struggle just like anybody else and so we decided here at Westminster that it was most appropriate to acknowledge that these members of our community have joined the company of heaven," said Westminster Presbyterian Church Pastor Thomas Yorty.

According to the homeless alliance of Western New York, more than 5,000 people in Erie County were homeless at some point in 2017.