Granite monument to remember those lost to coronavirus

Crematorium’s plans for memorial garden

A monument and memorial garden dedicated to those who have died from coronavirus is to be erected at Barham crematorium.

It will be a “tranquil place” to remember lost loved ones and a tribute to those who made sacrifices to help the sick and dying during the crisis, says the company which runs the facility near Canterbury.

“We are proud that all our crematoria have close links with their local communities and we thought it would be an appropriate gesture to create these permanent and lasting memorials,” said Astrud Matanle, regional manager for the Westerleigh Group.

The new memorial at Barham will be one of 34 to be installed at the company’s crematoria across the country, including Charing near Ashford.

It has produced an artist’s impression of how the new memorial will look, showing a polished black granite stone monument - which will be carved by the company’s own stonemasons - as the centrepiece, and surrounded by a floral arrangement representing a rainbow, which has become a symbol of hope during the pandemic.

“Our rainbows will be created using the vibrant colours of begonias, petunias and geraniums,” said Astrud. Work is expected to begin on the 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.

“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,” said Astrud.

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

Barham Crematorium