Coronavirus memorial garden to be created at Aylesbury crematorium

A coronavirus memorial garden is to be created at Aylesbury Vale Crematorium in Watermead as a place where people can visit to remember loved ones who died during the pandemic.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The tranquil setting will also allow people to pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much to help others who were sick, isolated or vulnerable during the crisis.

The memorial garden is set to be one of 34 created across England, Scotland and Wales by Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner-operator of crematoria and cemeteries.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The area will be landscaped with colourful, seasonal planting making up a rainbow, which has become a symbol of hope since the outbreak began. The focal point will be a stone memorial carved by stonemasons.

Aylesbury Vale CrematoriumAylesbury Vale Crematorium
Aylesbury Vale Crematorium

Work is expected to begin on the stone memorials in the Autumn, with garden landscaping taking place in early Spring 2021.

Roger Mclaughlan, Chief Executive of Westerleigh Group, explained: “Over the centuries, people have commemorated significant, life-changing events by creating memorials to honour those who have died. We wanted to do something similar to acknowledge the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the local communities we serve.

“Our local crematoria and cemeteries have very close links to the people who live and work in the surrounding areas. We are all too aware of the impact this pandemic has had and will continue to have on them, which is why we felt it was appropriate to create a permanent and lasting memorial in the grounds of our crematoria. It will be a special place where people can come to remember and reflect, and to give thanks to the wonderful way that the NHS, key workers and whole communities pulled together during this crisis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We hope these memorial gardens will be well received and as we move forward, we want our communities to join us in our plans and help to shape them. The gardens will be a permanent memorial of these times for future generations.”