Westerleigh opens news children’s memorial garden in Cornwall
An official opening of the garden took place recently, which was attended by local clergy, funeral directors, representatives from Children’s Hospice South West
Westerleigh Group has unveiled a new children’s memorial garden at Treswithian Downs Crematorium, Cornwall, to provide a quiet place for reflection and to remember young lives.
The centre-piece of the new garden is a mini silver birch tree made of powder-coated steel with carbon-neutral acrylic leaves, which can have personal memorial messages etched onto them.
An official opening of the garden took place recently, which was attended by local clergy, funeral directors, representatives from Children’s Hospice South West and other organisations who help provide support to children and families coping with the loss of a child or sibling.
Kathy Green, manager at Treswithian Downs Crematorium, said: “I know from previous experience of supporting families at such a terribly sad time that having a dedicated children memorial garden to visit can be very special.
“We wanted to ensure that our garden would become a place where the child-bereaved community would find comfort upon every visit. It is quite enclosed, and is away from the chapel building, so is a very quiet and peaceful area.”
A live willow arch will also be planted at the entrance to the children’s memorial garden in the spring of this year to provide further seclusion and tranquillity.
Green added: “It took around five months to complete the new garden and we are really proud of what we have created. We hope it will bring serenity to the bereaved parents, grandparents, siblings and a wider circle of people who are grieving the loss of a child.”
