Families who buy a memorial at any crematoria which is part of Westerleigh Group could help protect the planet by triggering a donation to World Land Trust (WLT), an international conservation charity that protects the world’s most biologically significant and threatened habitats.

For every memorial purchased at New Forest, North Wiltshire, Sedgemoor, Test Valley, Torbay, Treswithian Downs, Wessex Vale, West Wiltshire and Westerleigh crematoria between 9 September and 6 October, Westerleigh Group, will donate £100 to WLT’s Buy an Acre programme – at no cost to the memorial buyer.

Westerleigh Group has pledged to donate at least £45,500 to the programme, and even more, depending on how many memorials are sold.

Every £100 funds the purchase and protection of one acre of land in some of the most biodiverse habitats on earth, but which faces threats such as deforestation, urbanisation and agriculture.

WLT, which has Sir David Attenborough as one of its patrons, works with a network of partner organisations around the world who are committed to placing local communities at the heart of conservation efforts.

WLT partners are the stewards of the land, working with their local communities throughout the conservation process and managing and monitoring the area to help resident species thrive.

Westerleigh Group is one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of cemeteries and crematoria, with 40 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

For every memorial purchased during the qualifying period at any of its sites, Westerleigh will make the £100 donation from its metal recycling scheme.

With the consent of families, metals recovered during cremation are recycled, and any money raised is used to support selected charities, local activities and environmental initiatives.

Giles Palmer, Head of Grounds at Westerleigh Group, said: “Westerleigh Group is proud of its commitment to provide exceptional care to the bereaved and their loved ones.

“But our care goes much further than that and we also care deeply about the wider communities, which includes minimising our environmental impact by conducting our business in a responsible, sustainable and ethical way and working with partners who share same values.

“I became aware of World Land Trust in 2017 when I was working on a conservation project in Vietnam and started talking to them again earlier this year, about how WLT and Westerleigh Group might tie up.

“It’s a brilliant organisation, securing the land but then ensuring it is managed by local people, who are passionate about preserving and protecting it.

“If you have a loved one who cared in any way about the environment, the climate or endangered species, our offer presents a fantastic way to honour them; not only do you receive a beautiful memorial at one of our sites but also the added comfort of knowing you are also making a meaningful difference to something your loved one was passionate about.

“That is a very fitting tribute to your loved one.”

Tracey Butler, Corporate Partnerships Manager from World Land Trust, said: “We are honoured to partner with Westerleigh Group and tremendously grateful for their generosity on behalf of families and loved ones.

“This support will achieve incredible impact by bringing crucial habitat under protection - for species, biodiversity, local people and the planet.”

To find out more about World Land Trust, visit: www.worldlandtrust.org 

Anyone who wants to find out more about the memorial offer, visit:

www.newforestcrematorium.co.uk/buy-an-acre
www.northwiltshirecrematorium.co.uk/buy-an-acre
www.sedgemoorcrem.co.uk/buy-an-acre
www.testvalleycrematorium.co.uk/buy-an-acre
www.torquaycrematorium.co.uk/buy-an-acre
www.treswithiandownscrem.co.uk/buy-an-acre
www.wessexvalecrematorium.co.uk/buy-an-acre
www.westerleighcrem.co.uk/buy-an-acre
www.westwiltshirecrem.co.uk/buy-an-acre