Hundreds gathered Saturday at Edmonton's Boyle Street Community Centre, listening to speeches, music and prayers to honour the 47 homeless people who died last year.

Harmony Barry went to the fourth annual homeless memorial to pay respect to family and friends who perished while living on the streets.

"I lost two of my cousins and a couple friends over the years. It's in the papers one day and then nobody else remembers it, aside from those of us who have lost friends," Barry said.

'So often they are the forgotten people, so it's really important in society that we remember that these are human beings.'—Lorette Garrick, Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness

"A lot of the people out here have died because of the use of drugs and, to most people out here, drugs are just a way to hiding reality."

Barry said she'd like to see more treatment centres in Edmonton to help the homeless.

Lorette Garrick with the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness said many died as a result of health problems and violence on the streets.

"So often they are the forgotten people, so it's really important in society that we remember that these are human beings … [who are] important to somebody. We need to remember that," Garrick said.

"We also need to raise awareness in the greater community. I think that's another good reason why we do this every year."

Garrick said she would like to see the provincial government provide more funding for programs to help people find housing.