A new children’s memorial garden has been unveiled at Treswithian Downs Crematorium to provide a quiet place for reflection and a beautiful setting in which to honour 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.

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

Kathy Green, who became crematorium manager in May last year, 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.

“A mini silver birch tree is now main feature of the garden, surrounded by scattering areas, wooden benches and planters, making use of some old railway sleepers. We wanted to make the area look as natural as possible.

“It is quite enclosed, and is away from the chapel building, so is a very quiet and peaceful area.”

A live willow arch will be planted at the entrance to the children’s memorial garden in the spring this year to provide further seclusion and tranquillity.

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 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 be bring serenity to the bereaved parents, grandparents, siblings and a wider circle of people who are grieving a loss of a child.”

For more information about Treswithian Downs Crematorium, visit their website www.treswithiandownscrem.co.uk