Friends South West Burial Ground, and its two affiliated Quaker meetings -- Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, and Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia -- are shocked and saddened by the shooting incident which occurred during a burial at our grounds on March 4, 2021, resulting in the injury of two people.  We offer our prayers to all those affected, to their families and to the community.  

In keeping with our faith, we maintain a burial ground that is open to people of all faiths or of none.  As Quakers, we abhor violence, and do not see it as ever being an acceptable solution to conflicts.  It is a ministry that we all share as Friends to work toward resolution of differences through non-violent means.   We are committed to relationship building and working with communities to strengthen connection and trust, and to cultivate conditions that encourage peaceful resolution of disputes. 

Deaths, burials and funerals can evoke raw emotions, especially when the cause of death was violence. We have a good working relationship with the Upper Darby Police Department, and when we know in advance that the deceased was a victim of violence, we notify the police so they can be present to ensure that interment can proceed peacefully.    Over approximately the past seven years, about 1300 people have been interred in our Burial Ground, without violent incidents before this year. 

We are saddened to hear there may be people in the community who have the perception that we do not care about the safety of the community or of those attending burials.  We take our place in the community very seriously, and will continue to seek ways to open communication, to build and heal relationships, and to support the interruption of gun violence.  

Dana Reinhold, Clerk

Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting