Crematorium Grounds & Garden of Remembrance

General Information

It is important to note that there are no individual plots in the grounds, and there are no sections setaside for different religions or groups. For the sake of convenience, the site is divided into areasnumbered A1 to A16.
A condition imposed on the development of the Hardmoor Copse site was that as far as practically possible, the natural woodland character of the site should be retained. The site is maintained in line with a woodland management plan. Periodically trees are cut down to make way for new growth. There are several bluebell glades and these have been supplemented by the planting of other bulbs, trees and shrubs, mostly native species, the majority from the proceeds of the Garden Donation Fund. Please contact Bereavement Service (02380228609) for further details. The pool and water feature that was created from the small stream that runs through the site has been replaced with a formal pond.

Floral Tributes
Only cut flowers with wrappings removed are permitted in the Garden of Remembrance, vases and other forms of memorial are removed on a regular basis. The City Council has provided areas in and around the Book of Remembrance
Room where both cut flowers and flower vases can be placed. Please also note that these tributes
will be removed on a regular basis. The public is requested not to place vases in the grounds.
Glass and plastic vases can shatter and become a safety hazard to visitors and staff, particularly if partially buried, and will be removed. Items should not be nailed to or tied to trees as this likely to kill the tree.

Scattering of Ashes
Scattering is a term used to denote the disposal of ashes above or below the ground. All ashes are placed below the ground in the garden of rest with the exception of the grassed areas where the ashes are scattered on the surface.
Because of the nature of the Grounds,certain areas can become rather muddy during the winter, or following periods of heavy rain and scattering of the ashes may not be possible during these periods. The Garden of Rest is the last resting place of approximately 60,000 people and some of the areas are either closed or restricted to new scatterings.