A baby boy with no family was laid to rest by police and strangers after his body was found at a South Dakota recycling center.
The full-term baby was discovered at at Millennium Recycling in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on August 6th. There was no known name or family for the little child.
‘And look at the family he has now,’ Pastor Travis Remme, referring to the large gathering at Wednesday’s Service of Remembrance for Gabriel.
Despite ongoing investigations, authorities have yet to determine the circumstances surrounding Gabriel’s death, including his age and how long he had been at the recycling center. It is also unclear whether he died of natural causes, or if he was killed.
Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens described the infant as ‘full-term’ and acknowledged that the investigation is ongoing.
The community has been deeply affected by this heartbreaking tragedy, and numerous individuals and organizations have come together to offer their condolences and support.
On August 28th, a memorial service was held at Miller Funeral Home Southside Chapel to honor Gabriel’s short life.
‘It’s a trying time anytime someone loses your child; it’s not the natural order,’ funeral director Matthew Koball said. ‘It’s really the least we could do to give back to the community because it’s the right thing to do.’
Koball, having lost two children himself, said he understands the deep grief experienced by parents of infant loss.
‘We, unfortunately, do a lot of little one funerals, but nothing quite like this,’ Koball said. ‘This, for me, is kind of the first.’
‘The smallest caskets are the heaviest to carry.’
Over 200 people attended the service, and Sioux Falls police officers served as pallbearers.
As attendees solemnly entered the chapel, they were greeted by the sight of baby Gabriel surrounded by a profusion of flowers, teddy bears, and toy cars. A single blue star-shaped balloon floated amidst these tokens of remembrance and love.
The chapel was filled to capacity, with mourners standing toward the back and in an overflow area.
Some attendees brought young children, Gabriel’s new ‘brothers and sisters,’ whose occasional cries echoed the collective sorrow of the crowd.
Tearful individuals wearing Millennium Recycling T-shirts were also present, though they declined to comment to Argus Leader on the loss.
A large bouquet of wildflowers from the recycling center crew bore a simple message: ‘We found you, and we loved you.’
The funeral service was led by Pastor Travis Remme of The Rock Community Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa, his wife Jessica Remme, Pastor Katherine (Director of Spiritual Care at Dow Rummel Village), and Reverend John Helmueller of the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
Jessica Remme delivered a touching eulogy, describing Gabriel as ‘an angel with tiny wings and arrow [who] blessed the lives of others in beauty and in grace.’
She continued: ‘An angel came for reasons we may not understand, a journey brief with gifts so great and guided by God’s hand. So rest now, tiny Angel, your work on Earth is through in the beauty of God’s perfect love, we sought His gift in you.’
Jessica, who has also lost a child, said her and Travis were devastated to find out about Gabriel.
‘I mean, for me, specifically, as a mom who has lost a child, I know that pain,’ Jessica Remme said. ‘I can’t even fathom what that mother must have been thinking or going through, or what her circumstances must be to feel like she didn’t have an option, or to just whatever it may be. It’s a reminder to check on your people.’
The Oaklyn Foundation, along with other local organizations, collaborated to ensure that Gabriel received a proper burial.
Jessica Remme, the foundation’s founder and president, chose the name ‘Gabriel James’ for the infant, inspired by the meanings ‘God is my strength’ and ‘one who follows.’
‘After loss, there just isn’t a lot of support for families. And so God placed this nonprofit on our hearts, and we’ve been blessed to give back to over 1,000 families in the United States and Canada since 2018,’ Jessica told Argus Leader.
‘Last August, we launched our funeral program, so we work alongside Miller and other funeral homes in the area to help pay for caskets and urns for those under the age of 16. Since launching that in August of last year, we’ve paid out over $46,000 worth of funeral costs for families.’
‘It’s truly a beautiful thing that it’s turned into. If coming to the funeral home isn’t for you, continue to pray for his family. Continue to pray for his mom. She just needs some prayers,’ Jessica told Dakota News Now.
The funeral services were held free of charge for Gabriel, as Miller Funeral Home does not charge for services of those 17 or younger.
‘It was just really amazing to see the community of Sioux Falls to come together to pay their respects, spend time, to make sure that he was properly buried and taken care of,’ said Koball.
While the circumstances surrounding Gabriel’s death remain unclear, the community is determined to honor his memory and provide support to his family.
Jessica urged individuals to continue praying for Gabriel’s mother, who is undoubtedly experiencing immense grief.
‘To know that he won’t be alone, our family will come visit him,’ Jessica said. ‘He’s a big part of our family now, and he won’t sit here by himself. He will always be remembered.’