memorials

A Living Memorial

Memorial Trees beautifully express the enduring cycles of nature, offering not only a gift to the one who has passed away, but to the landscape and to generations to come.

Where a woodland plot is chosen, a Memorial Tree can be bought through us to be planted on the grave. Memorial Trees can also be bought to mark the lives of those we have loved and respected who are not buried at the site.

Memorial Tree and PlaqueA broad selection of native trees are available, the larger being :

  • English Oak : Quercus robur
  • Ash : Fraxinus excelsior

and the smaller trees, and those that make up the understory of native woodland :

  • Bird Cherry : Prunus padus
  • Crab Apple : Malus sylvestris
  • Dog Rose : Rosa canina
  • Field Maple : Acer Campestri
  • Field or Wild Rose : Rosa arvensis
  • Guelder Rose : Viburnum opulus
  • Hazel : Corylus avellana
  • Holly : Ilex aquifolium
  • Silver Birch : Betula pendula
  • Wayfaring Tree : Viburnum lantana
  • Wild Cherry : Prunus avium
  • Wild Service Tree : Sorbus torminalis

If the tree you would most like is not in the list above, please enquire. There are some trees that are native to the ecology of the site but rare, and thus can only be planted in small numbers or in certain areas of the burial ground.

Memorial Trees are guaranteed for ten years, after which time the woodland will have begun to develop naturally.  Indeed, in time, the woodland and nature reserve as a whole becomes the living memorial for each person interred at the burial ground.

All Memorial Trees must be bought by Nature Reserve Burial Grounds. All our trees are of local provenance, ensuring that all are as native to the immediate environment as possible.

The planting of all Memorial Trees is carried out by Nature Reserve Burial Grounds staff over the winter months. If you choose to buy a tree and would like to be present on the day of planting, you would be very welcome. Tree planting days at Sun Rising are documented on this page : Tree Planting.
WWT Logo

We are happy to be working in harmony with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on this project.