Test Valley Crematorium holding Mother’s Day event

Test Valley Crematorium, part of Westerleigh Group, is inviting people to visit on Sunday, March 30, to reflect on relatives they have lost.

Visitors will be able to collect daffodils between 9am and 5pm, which they can either place on the memorial of a loved one within the crematorium’s grounds, or take home with them.

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Robert Metcalf, manager of the crematorium, said: “Visitors will also be able to bring Mother’s Day cards, letters or personal messages to the crematorium and deposit them in our Letters to Heaven memorial post box.

“We know, from feedback we’ve had since the memorial post box was installed, that the bereaved can take great comfort from posting messages to loved ones, and it helps them maintain a feeling of connection with them.”

The crematorium, near Romsey, is open to anyone wishing to remember their loved ones during the Mother’s Day period, regardless of whether there is a memorial to their mother or mother figure in the crematorium grounds, or where their funeral took place.

Robert added: “Mother’s Day is one of those annual occasions when a loss can be felt more and we want to ensure people know that they are very welcome to take comfort in paying tribute to their loved ones at our crematorium.

“It can equally be a particularly difficult time for mothers who are bereaved of a child, and they are also extremely welcome to visit us.”

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The crematorium also noted that special days like Mother’s Day can prompt people to consider purchasing a memorial in honour of someone they have lost.

Westerleigh Group is running a special offer between March 3 and April 30.

Families who buy a new granite ‘made in the UK’ memorial or EverWith personal jewellery from the crematorium, can get free personalisation, up to the value of £500.

This can include hand-designed artwork transferred directly onto the memorial, such as portraits, club crests, animals, hobbies, places of interest, a picture of a loved one transferred onto a plaque which is then placed on the memorial or engraving of names or images on selected EverWith jewellery items.

Anyone interested in taking up this offer should visit the crematorium’s website or call and speak to a member of the team there for more information.