Birches Crematorium & Remembrance Park

10/03/2026

Just a reminder that if you'd like the name and photograph of your loved one to be included in our Mother's Day slideshow these will need to be submitted via our website before 5pm tomorrow (Wednesday 11th March)

https://www.birchescrematorium.co.uk/events/mothers-day-remembrance

If you wish for a peaceful place of reflection this mother's day, please feel free to visit our chapel to take a seat, listen to some music with a tea or coffee and watch our memorial slideshow on the screens.

If you'd like to include the name or photograph of your loved one, please visit our website: https://www.birchescrematorium.co.uk/events/mothers-day-remembrance

05/03/2026

If you have had a walk around the garden recently you may have noticed these piles of colourful twigs. On a 1-5 year rotation we Pollard or coppice the trees and shrubs we grow for winter colour and interest.

Pollarding is a traditional tree management practice that involves carefully pruning the upper branches of a tree to encourage healthy new growth. While it may look dramatic at first, this method has been used for centuries to keep trees strong, safe and provide material to make plant frames or other building materials.

One of the key benefits of pollarding is tree health and longevity. By periodically removing older branches, the tree is encouraged to produce fresh, vigorous shoots, which gives the bright colour that can lift the dull days in winter.

Another important advantage is sustainability. Regular pollarding can extend the life of a tree rather than requiring removal, preserving green spaces and wildlife habitats. The process also produces smaller, reusable wood that we use around the garden as plant supports, fencing areas or simply creating beautiful displays, even creating woven piles to make homes for all kinds of creatures that keep our garden healthy!

When carried out correctly and at the appropriate times of year, pollarding is a thoughtful way to manage trees, so that they can provide garden interest for years to come.

02/03/2026

If you wish for a peaceful place of reflection this mother's day, please feel free to visit our chapel to take a seat, listen to some music with a tea or coffee and watch our memorial slideshow on the screens.

If you'd like to include the name or photograph of your loved one, please visit our website: https://www.birchescrematorium.co.uk/events/mothers-day-remembrance

20/02/2026

Today is "Love your pet day" - a chance to reflect on the companionship and comfort animals bring us. We welcome dogs on leads in our gardens and can accommodate them at services with prior arrangement.
The Birches team have a wide array of animals between them from (lots of!) dogs to llamas, horses to parrots, peacocks to rabbits.

If you have any memories or pictures of your pet in the garden we would love to hear from you! 🐎🦙🦚🦜🐇🐕‍🦺

14/02/2026

For many, Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love.
For others, especially after a bereavement, it can feel very different.

If today brings sadness, mixed emotions, or a sense of absence, please know that there is no right or wrong way to feel. You may wish to mark the day quietly, spend time remembering, or simply let it pass — all of these are valid.

At Birches, we understand that milestone days can be difficult. Our gardens are always here as a peaceful place to reflect, and you are very welcome to call in for a cup of tea and a quiet chat with a member of our team if that feels helpful.

Above all, be kind to yourself today.
Love takes many forms, and it endures in memory, in moments, and in the connections we continue to carry forward.

🌿 You are always welcome at Birches.

09/02/2026

A family who held a service at Birches on Friday created the most beautiful floral arrangements to rest on top of their loved one’s coffin. Each posy was thoughtfully designed using a variety of seeds to support the birds and wildlife that call the Birches gardens home, and they kindly asked if we could place them somewhere suitable following the service.

If you have visited our chapel, you may have noticed the bird feeders outside the main windows. We chose to place the arrangements there, where they can be easily discovered and enjoyed by our wildlife visitors.

Such a thoughtful and meaningful gesture by the family.

05/02/2026

Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. It’s a day for all of us to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

Talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone. It can reduce stigma and help people feel comfortable enough to seek help when they need it.

Here are some ideas of how to get started:
-Text a friend to ask how they're doing
-Go for a walk and a talk with a neighbour
-Invite a colleague for a cup of tea and a chat
-Share a post on social media

For more information, visit Mind's website:
https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/time-to-talk-day/

26/01/2026

Winter is a time of taking stock and planning in the garden - there is still plenty to do even when it's frosty outside!

We thought it might be nice to share some of the things the team have been designing and working towards in 2026.

Planting updates in the car park - Lavender doesn't last forever so there will be work to replace some of the older shrubs with new ones over the coming year, we know how much people enjoy the scent and the hum of the bees in the summer month and are committed to the longevity of this feature, we will also be adding some new pots and planting throughout our welcome area

We have some new memorial areas planned in the garden which we are really excited to share with you, this will mean clearing some existing planting (Don't worry, this will not encroach on any existing memorials) - the plans are all ready to go and we can't wait to show you them soon.

Gardens are always changing and we have some wonderful new things to bring to the garden this year - what would you like to see at Birches?

24/01/2026

This weekend is the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch. Our team have been out to count the birds we have seen during one hour working in the garden and submitted our results, if you want to be part of the UK's biggest citizen science wildlife project then you can get involved over on their page, it's a great way to keep track of the changing bird numbers.

There are some wonderful birds visiting our garden throughout the year, including Kestrels, a big flock of Goldfinches and even a Red Kite, there are also some amazing murmurations (huge flocks of starlings all moving together as dusk) over the surrounding countryside such as this one just before Christmas!

Nature is such an important part of what we do here at Birches, and activities like this can be a great reminder to slow down and tune in to the gentle flow of outside world. 🐦🐦‍⬛🦅

23/01/2026

Direct or Unattended cremation has become a more well-known option over the past few years.
Families choosing this type of funeral for their loved one may not realise that you can speak to your funeral director and choose where the cremation takes place.
A direct cremation at Birches is carried out by our caring and dedicated staff, with support available for the family afterwards including our regular memorial services, beautiful gardens full of spaces of reflection and our community choir meetings.

20/01/2026

🌿 A gentle reminder this January 🌿

January can often feel like a long month. The days are short, the weather is colder, and the nights still draw in early — which can feel even heavier when you’re carrying grief or loss.

If this time of year feels difficult, please know that you’re not alone. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and no need to rush yourself through these quieter weeks.

Brighter days are coming, even if they don’t feel close just yet. Until then, we’re here — with peaceful gardens, a warm welcome, and if it feels helpful, a cup of tea and a quiet chat with a member of our team.

🌱 You are always welcome at Birches.

15/01/2026

Winter might be cold but it comes with the most wonderful sunrises over the garden. It's so peaceful to walk around the garden in the early morning and see the frost on the seedheads and the flocks of goldfinches - this quiet time of the year can be difficult for many people, especially after the busyness of Christmas but there is always a seat in the garden and usually a brew on if you need a bit of warmth.

Our office is open for enquiries Monday-Friday, 9am-4.30pm and the gardens are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm and Weekends & Bank Holidays 9am-5pm

🪾🌞❄️