As Baby Loss Awareness Week gets under way across the UK, a specially designed garden of remembrance for bereaved parents has been opened at Edinburgh’s Mortonhall Cemetery.
Nestled alongside the established Baby Rose Garden burial area, the new garden will be the final resting place for cremated remains if families choose to have their baby cremated at Mortonhall.
The new Baby Garden of Remembrance was formally opened by Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes in a short and moving ceremony attended by NHS Lothian Bereavement Services, along with child loss charities SiMBA, SANDS Lothians and Friends of Mortonhall Cemetery Baby Rose Garden.
The garden is set out as a seasonal garden with different plants that flower in each of the four seasons so that when families attend there is always some colour for them. Each bed is marked with a granite plinth with a seasonal symbol.
Parents can take some time for reflection on the granite benches marked with dragonflies.
This new Baby Garden of Remembrance builds on the established Memorial Garden at Mortonhall Crematorium and the Andy Scott created Baby Elephant memorial in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.
The Baby Garden of Remembrance forms part of a new 3D tour of Mortonhall Cemetery. This will allow families to make informed choices about the final resting place for their baby.
Cllr. Macinnes said: “It was an honour to be asked to open the new Baby Garden of Remembrance at Mortonhall Cemetery.
“This beautiful flower garden, which was designed in partnership with local baby loss charities and NHS Lothian, is testament to the way Edinburgh is now leading the way in Scotland in how baby loss is acknowledged and remembered in Baby Loss Awareness Week.
“I’m sure the tranquil and colourful garden will be of great comfort to families who suffer the tragic loss of a baby.”
Nicola Welsh, CEO Sands Lothians, said: “I’m pleased to see the new Baby Garden of Remembrance finished. This provides a peaceful place for families to visit who decide on a shared cremation for their precious little baby.
“I was privileged to be part of the concept and design and I think the seasons and dragonfly benches are a special touch. These little ones are always remembered and missed and I hope this new location will help provide comfort to those who visit.“
Gail Ricketts, Director of Captured Realities Ltd, who made the virtual tour, said: “I hope that by using this virtual tour to view the Baby Garden of Remembrance in Mortonhall Cemetery, it will help parents make an informed decision regarding the final resting place for their baby.”
