THIS is how a special memorial garden will look at Vale Royal Crematorium to remember people who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

Westerleigh Group, which owns and operates the crematorium, announced last month its intention to create a memorial garden at each of its 34 sites across the country.

The centrepiece 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.

And artist impressions have now been released to show how the garden tribute to those lost because of Covid-19 will look.

“The new garden will be a tranquil place for people to visit and remember loved ones who died during the pandemic,” said site manager Dave Haslam.

“People can visit and pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much to help others who were sick, isolated or vulnerable.

“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.

Northwich Guardian:

Vale Royal Crematorium

“Our rainbows will be created using the vibrant colours of begonias, petunias and geraniums.”

The stone at the centre of the memorial garden will be made from all-polished black granite and is a typical traditional memorial for remembrance, but with a Westerleigh change of design.

It will be individually carved by Westerleigh’s highly-skilled stonemasons, with work expected to begin in the autumn and garden landscaping taking place in early spring 2021.

Dave and his team at Vale Royal Crematorium are now looking to identify the best location within the grounds for the garden, which is expected to open in mid-to-late Spring 2021.

He added: “We are proud that our crematorium enjoys close links with our local community, and we thought it would be an appropriate gesture to create these permanent and lasting memorials.

“It will be a special place 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 have pulled together during this unprecedented crisis.

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