Memorial garden plan for pandemic victims

A MEMORIAL garden for those who have died during the coronavirus pandemic is to be created at a crematorium

Great Glen Crematorium site manager Harvey Watson said: “The garden will be a tranquil place 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 centrepiece of the 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 will be of polished black granite and carved by stonemasons from Westerleigh Group, which runs the crematorium.

Work is expected to begin on the memorial in the autumn, with garden landscaping in early spring.

Mr Watson said: “We are proud our crematorium enjoys close links with our community, and we therefore thought it would be an appropriate gesture to create this permanent and lasting memorial.

“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 pulled together.”