The pictures of our fellow New Yorkers being buried on Hart Island are devastating for all of us.

I want to make sure everyone knows what they’re seeing and what is actually happening on Hart Island.

Remember, these are human beings. These are neighbors we've lost.

There will be no mass burials on Hart Island. Everything will be individual and every body will be treated with dignity.

We do not anticipate temporary burials on Hart Island except for the unclaimed.

Whenever we lose someone and there is a family member or a friend, here in New York or around the world, who wants to make burial arrangements, we hold remains until they are ready. Days, weeks, months—it doesn’t matter.

COVID-19 has not changed that.

This virus is taking a horrific toll. We’re losing hundreds of neighbors every day.

We’ve brought in help from the federal government to ensure we're compassionate and respectful to every family and hold the remains of their loved one until they're ready to make arrangements.

For decades, our city has buried people on Hart Island when there is no one else to make burial arrangements. It’s a tragic reality.

The heartbreaking numbers of deaths we're seeing means we are sadly losing more people without family or friends to bury them privately.

Those are the people who will be buried on Hart Island, with every measure of respect and dignity New York City can provide.

We shouldn’t sensationalize the suffering and loss of our neighbors. We should pray for them and keep them in our hearts.

And let’s all remain committed to saving each and every life we can in the days ahead.