"We Are Your Family"... Angels Standing by the Last Moments of Those Without Family Ties [2025 Unclaimed Deaths Report ⑪]

Dail Small Heaven, Home to 28 Residents Without Family Ties
Providing Care and Supporting Independence for Those Without Family

"It's so nice to see you walking well. Please don't be sick alone."

On the 26th of last month, Jomi Jin, Head Nurse, and Min Kidong (82), a resident, are taking a photo at Dail Small Heaven in Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seungwook Park

At 1 p.m. on the 26th of last month, at Dail Small Heaven, a care facility run by the Dail Welfare Foundation near Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul, Head Nurse Jomi Jin met Min Kidong (82), a resident without family ties, in the hallway and smiled as she asked, "Did your treatment go well? If you feel unwell, don't endure it alone-please let us know."

Min, a former civilian employee of the military, has been living here for about ten years since he entered in 2015. Although he has a wife and a younger sibling, he has lost contact with them for a long time. About a month ago, Min developed gallstones and was hospitalized at Seoul Medical Center before returning to the facility on this day. He said, "The nurses and welfare workers change the diapers of residents who are hospitalized without ever showing signs of hardship, and they always speak to us with a smile. I think of them as angels. Even though they are much younger than me, when I see how they treat us, I can't help but speak to them respectfully."

There are a total of 32 residents at Dail Small Heaven. Among them, 28 are without family ties, and most of them were discovered through the Seoul Station and Yeongdeungpo Hope Support Centers before coming here. The Dail Welfare Foundation, under commission from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, helps vulnerable people in need of hospice care or long-term care due to severe illnesses to stay here until the end of their lives.

On the 26th of last month, Jomi Jin, Head Nurse, is caring for residents at Dail Small Heaven in Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seungwook Park

The staff at Dail Small Heaven become like family to those left alone. To prevent residents from being bedridden all the time, they provide music therapy and art therapy once a week and pay extra attention to ensure that no one feels lonely. One welfare worker said, "We give each resident a flowerpot and encourage them to take care of it together while sharing conversations. We teach them how to nurture the plants, and when they see the plants thriving, the residents' faces light up with smiles."

They also support the self-reliance of those without family ties. Head Nurse Jin said, "Sometimes, even if a resident qualifies for benefits, they are not actually receiving them, so we help them access institutional support. While it may be difficult for the elderly, we support relatively younger residents in their recovery and help them find jobs so they can become independent."

In fact, Yang Siyoung (58), who now works here as a hygiene worker, was once a resident himself. After a business failure, he lost contact with his family and became homeless, living at Dail Small Heaven from August 2018 to April 2021. Yang said, "When I first entered the facility, my health was poor due to diabetes and other issues, but with the help of the nurses and welfare workers, I regained the desire to become independent. Eventually, I got the opportunity to work here, and now I am in charge of helping residents with bathing and hygiene."

On the 26th of last month, Min Kidong (82), an entrant at Dail Small Heaven in Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, is handing a beverage to Jomi Jin, the head nurse.

Six out of ten people without family ties die in medical facilities. If there are no relatives, or if the family refuses to claim the body due to estrangement or other reasons, the deceased is registered as having no family ties and a public funeral is held. In reality, many pass away alone, with volunteer organizations seeing them off on their final journey.

In contrast, Dail Small Heaven takes responsibility for the funerals of departing residents. In a memorial room prepared in the basement, they hold a "Heavenly Farewell Ceremony" to conduct a funeral service and honor the memory of the deceased. Head Nurse Jin said, "When someone who lived here as family passes away, I believe we must hold their funeral as well. Being family means being together until the very end."