A NEW baby memorial garden has been officially opened at Southampton Crematorium. 

The garden was made to give bereaved people an area where they can find further comfort and was opened by Heather White, senior bereavement officer at the crematorium. 

The landscaping was done thanks to £8,000 raised in charitable donations after a family who lost one of their twins in pregnancy wanted to create a place where those who go through such difficult times can remember their babies in peace and tranquillity.

The Southampton City Council, the Southampton Baby Memorial Fund and Southampton SANDS (Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society) worked together to raise money and complete the project while staff at Southampton Crematorium installed the garden with the help from young volunteers. 

Cllr Jacqui Rayment, cabinet member for highways, transport and the environment, said: “With the addition of the lovely, new baby garden, our crematorium is a place where the bereaved can find further comfort in their surroundings. 

“Thank you to our staff for the time and hard work they gave to create it and to our community partners who helped us raise the money for its construction.”

The family who suggested the idea two years ago contributed to raise money and negotiated the donation of materials to assist with the project while members of Junior Neighbourhood Wardens helped with the work.

The young volunteers, all members of a project that encourages the engagement of children in community activities, planted flowerbeds and shrubbery and painted the two benches which have been set in the area. 

A memory tree has been installed to give everyone a chance to hang messages for their loved ones, while flagstones and marble benches have been added to decorate the garden.

Cllr Warwick Payne, cabinet member for housing and adult care, said: “It’s remarkable to see how our Junior Neighbourhood Wardens and staff have transformed a patch of woods into a beautiful, peaceful garden.”