Harry Weil
5:27:05
Hi, Chair Rivera and members of the committee.
5:27:07
My name is Harry Wyle.
5:27:09
I'm the vice president of education and public programs at the Greenwood Cemetery.
5:27:13
Yes, you heard that right.
5:27:14
I work at a cemetery, but we are a very active place with over 300 public programs each year.
5:27:20
From tours to art installations to concerts and the catacombs, we ensure that our 478 acres in the heart of Brooklyn are welcoming and accessible to everyone, and that is due in no small part to city funding.
5:27:32
I'm here along with all the colleagues in this room to advocate for increased funding for all New York City arts and cultural institutions.
5:27:39
Such funding allows Greenwood to offer important free community programs.
5:27:43
Each year our Day of the Dead Community Ofrenda invites thousands to leave mementos, offerings, remembrance for departed loved ones.
5:27:51
The related Day of the Dead Afternoon had over 3,500 attendees in 2024 who partook in celebrating this important holiday with food, performances, and hands on activities, contracting dozens of local artists and food vendors from the Sunset Park community.
5:28:06
Most importantly, this funding supports our death education programming.
5:28:10
Death education is an area that focuses on grief and loss and mourning.
5:28:14
Whether it's guided small group conversations, hands on workshops, lectures, or practical training exercises.
5:28:20
Our goal is to get attendees comfortable with the uncomfortable.
5:28:23
In 2024, our death education program served 2,500 participants who range in age from teenagers in middle school to seniors in their eighties and nineties.
5:28:32
This work is critical, especially at a time when New Yorkers are experiencing increased levels of depression, anxiety, and general mental distress.
5:28:41
We hope to expand our work to schools, houses of worships, and to other disenfranchised community groups who often experience grief that isn't openly acknowledged, socially validated, or publicly mourned.
5:28:51
We work with artists and advocates in the community to fund those artists to produce programs that are active and engaging for all community members.
5:28:59
So on behalf of Greenwood, I urge the council to invest in these critical initiatives, not just at Greenwood, but also across the city.
