Memorial tree puts crematorium on the map
A tree that was planted at Forest Park Cemetery and Crematorium last year to mark the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II has now been added to The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) map.
The QGC project originally invited everyone across the UK to plant trees as a mark of respect to the monarch for her jubilee.
Following her death, His Majesty The King extended the initiative until March this year to give more people the chance to plant trees in memoriam to honour the Queen.
During her reign, the Queen planted more than 1,500 trees. The QGC initiative is seen as a way to create a greener UK and a fitting legacy in honour of the Queen’s leadership of the nation.
Forest Park Cemetery and Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner-operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 37 sites across England, Scotland and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
Grounds Team Leader and Cremation Technician Daren Trinder said: “We’re proud to be featured on The Queen’s Green Canopy map.
“The tree we have planted is an Amelanchier (Lamarckii) Snowy Mespilus, which we chose because it looks interesting throughout different seasons, including winter months when most trees lose leaves and look bare.
“We wanted to do something in honour of the Queen’s jubilee and planting a tree seemed to be the most appropriate thing to do.”
Daren added: “Since her passing, the tree has taken on even more symbolic significance, and is a fitting memorial to Her Majesty.
“We are now planning to plant another tree within the next few weeks in honour of His Majesty The King’s forthcoming Coronation.”
The crematorium is run by the Westerleigh Group on behalf of Redbridge London Borough Council.
Cllr Sheila Bain, Redbridge Cabinet Member for Planning and Planning Enforcement, said: “Redbridge has shared a close connection with the Queen through her visits to the borough, which were always met with warmth and excitement by local people.
“The Queen’s passing was deeply felt across our communities and we are proud to have this tree in Forest Park Crematorium as a lasting memorial to Her Majesty The Queen.”
Tags: cemetery, Crematorium, Daren Trinder, Forest Park, QGC, Queen's Green Canopy, Westerleigh