Rami's Heart COVID-19 Memorial is the first permanent national COVID-19 memorial in the United States, dedicated to honoring the lives lost during the pandemic and providing families with a meaningful place for remembrance.
Founded by Rima Samman in January 2021 in memory of her brother, Rami, the memorial began on Belmar Beach in New Jersey with a heart-shaped arrangement of yellow-painted clam shells and personalized stones. As the tribute grew, it evolved into a permanent memorial at Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township, New Jersey, in September 2021.
I worked with the organization to develop a custom logo and establish its foundational branding, creating a recognizable visual identity that reflected its mission of remembrance, compassion and community.
The branding project focused on establishing a cohesive visual identity for an organization rooted in a deeply personal story that had grown into a national memorial.
I created a custom logo and supporting brand elements designed to provide consistency across the organization's communications and public-facing materials. The approach emphasized sensitivity, recognition and longevity, ensuring the identity could represent both the memorial's origins and its broader mission.
The resulting branding provided a foundation for the organization's continued growth, community engagement and remembrance initiatives.
Located at Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township, New Jersey, Rami's Heart has grown into a permanent place of reflection and remembrance. The memorial features thousands of personalized stones, preserved shadowboxes from its original beach installation, yellow heart sculptures and a heart-shaped pathway.
Beyond the physical memorial, the organization continues to bring families and communities together through remembrance ceremonies, fundraising initiatives and events such as its annual A Walk To Remember.
What began as one family's tribute has become a lasting space where the names, stories and memories of those lost to COVID-19 can continue to be honored.
