Forest Park Cemetery and Crematorium in Hainault opens

Forest Park Cemetery and Crematorium in Hainault is opening its doors to anyone living in, working in or visiting the community from June 15 to June 21, inviting anyone wishing to honour a father or father figure to visit and spend time in remembrance. This includes fathers who have lost a child.

Visitors can take part in a range of remembrance activities during the week. Tags will be available in the Book of Remembrance Room for people to write messages or memories, and blue ribbons can be tied to a remembrance tree.

Darren Dowd, manager at Forest Park Cemetery and Crematorium, said: "Over the Father’s Day period, we are holding in our thoughts all those missing their father, a father-figure and fathers who are bereaved of a child.

"They are all warmly welcome to join us during the Father’s Day period for some quiet reflection in our comfortable chapel and beautiful grounds. We understand that comfort means different things to different people, and we are here to support you in whatever way feels right."

Personalised Father's Day cards, messages, and tributes can also be placed in the crematorium’s 'Letters to Loved Ones' post box.

Mr Dowd said: "We also know that the bereaved can take great comfort from posting personal messages in our white memorial post box, which helps them maintain a feeling of connection with those they have lost.

"Father’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."

The invitation is open to all, whether or not their loved one is memorialised at the crematorium, and regardless of where the funeral took place.

Forest Park Cemetery and Crematorium is part of the Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent operators of crematoria and cemeteries. It will be open from 8am to 8pm during the week, and from 10am to 8pm on Father’s Day (June 21).