An artists’ impression shows how memorial gardens at several crematoria in the South West to remember people who have died during the COVID-19 pandemic will look.

Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner-operator of crematoria and cemeteries, announced last month its intention to create a memorial garden at each of its 34 sites across the country.

They include Westerleigh Crematorium, near Bristol, where the company has its national headquarters, and a number of other sites throughout the South West.

Roger Mclaughlan, CEO of Westerleigh Group, said: “These gardens will be tranquil places for people to visit and remember loved ones who died during the pandemic, and to pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much to help others who were sick, isolated or vulnerable.

“The centre-piece of each garden will be a stone monument surrounded by a floral arrangement representing a rainbow, which has become a symbol of hope during the pandemic.

“Many people have put pictures of rainbows in their windows during the lockdown, to cheer up passers- by and to offer a bright message of hope.

“Our rainbows will be created using the vibrant colours of Begonias, Petunias and Geraniums.”

The stone at the centre of the memorial gardens will be made from all-polished black granite and is a typical traditional memorial for remembrance but with a Westerleigh change of design. The memorials will be individually carved by Westerleigh’s highly-skilled stonemasons.

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

The team at each crematoria is now working to identify the best location within their grounds for the gardens, which are expected to open mid-to-late Spring, 2021.

Roger added: “We are proud that all our crematoria have close links with their local communities, and we therefore thought it would be an appropriate gesture to create these permanent and lasting memorials.

“They will be special place places where people can remember and reflect on the loved ones they have lost, and give thanks to the wonderful way that the NHS, key workers and whole communities pulled together during this unprecedented crisis.

“As this project progresses, we will be reaching out to our local communities to help shape and finalise our plans.”