Memorial Choices
Living memorials are a meaningful alternative to remember a loved one. We have a variety of different options currently available at Epping Forest Burial Park, including memorial posts, memorial benches, bird, bat and owl box sponsorships, tree sponsorships and stained glass windows.
All of our options are available to anyone, whether or not they already have a connection with the park. Please call the office on 01992 523863 if you are interested.
1. Memorial Posts
A personalised oak post provides a beautiful, natural memorial for your loved one. We can offer attractive posts suitable for either burial or ash interment plots, made from solid English oak, with a round or oblong bevelled top and an etched message. The posts are supplied from 4" seasoned oak and are coated in Natural oil.
If you would prefer a customised bespoke carving, there are details of woodcarvers provided below. Please be aware when commissioning your own memorials that there are size restrictions and that all designs must be approved in advance by Julia Rolf, Woodland Manager. Please contact Julia at julia@woodlandburialparks.co.uk.
Alternatively, 'add-ons' are an excellent way of creating a post with a difference. The memorial posts ordered through the office can have a small carving attached; whether it is a sleeping cat or a pair of singing robins, an add-on can create an understated difference. If you would like any more information on add-ons please contact the office.
Emlyn Budds
Mobile: 07833 771893
Email: emlyn@emlynbudds.co.uk
Website: www.emlynbudds.co.uk
Luke Chapman
5 Elm Cottages
Top Common
East Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PP
Mobile: 07799 515577 
Email: locarve@hotmail.com
Graham Roper
8 Eatons Mead
Chingford
E4 8AN
Tel: 020 8559 4424
Email: info@thewoodcrafter.co.uk
Website: www.thewoodcrafter.co.uk
Memorial Regulations
It is important that all memorials comply with our regulations in order that the natural beauty of the woodland is preserved:
- Memorials must be made of wood and treated only with teak oil, linseed oil or natural wax. No high gloss or stain is acceptable.
- Memorial designs need to be approved by our woodland manager before implementation.
- Maximum dimensions for memorials are: full graves (H) 450m (W) 400mm (D) 150mm; ashes plots or children's graves (H) 200mm (W) 200mm (D) 150mm
- Oak is the preferred wood – no tropical hardwood or redwood.
- Memorials to be placed within the grave dimensions, which are 2.1 mtrs x 900mm for burial plots and 500mm square for ash interment plots.
- Memorial design should allow for at least 300mm below ground to ensure stability and safety.
- Memorial placing – A member of the woodland team will place your post, however if you would like to be present, please contact the office.
- Only one memorial is permitted per plot.
- Post cleaning can be arranged, at a cost of £20. If you are interested, or would like further information, please contact the office.
2. Book of Remembrance
An entry in the Book of Remembrance provides a beautiful and long-lasting memorial to families and friends. Everyone is welcome to have an entry in the book, even if the person being remembered is laid to rest elsewhere.
We have a quiet reflection room at the park with the Book of Remembrance on display; the page is turned each day to show the entries recorded. Our staff will be happy to turn the book to specific pages if requested - please ask at reception.
To view an entry on the website, please click on the Book of Remembrance tab above. You can have an entry in the Book of Remembrance on any date you wish, such as that of the death, birthday or wedding anniversary.
All names are written in green, with the first initial in gold, and there are a maximum of 30 letters per line (including spaces).
A hand-drawn memorial card showing a copy of the entry can be ord
ered by families to keep.
3. Bird & Bat Boxes
Living memorials are a meaningful alternative to remember a loved one. In order to encourage wildlife, families have been keen to work with us to provide nesting sites. We can offer a 3-year sponsorship, with prices varying according to the type of box you would prefer. We can offer this around any tree and often this can be placed on the tree of your loved one.
4. Stained Glass Windows
This is an exclusive opportunity to purchase an entire window panel of the front doors of the Woodland Hall or the Book of Remembrance room. These panels are unique, produced by Sarah Bristow and will remain in place for the life of the buildings. Families are able to discuss with the designer their ideas for personalising the panel to commemorate a loved one.
5. Tree Sponsorships
Our tree sponsorships are for life and offer a unique way of remembering a loved one, even if their final resting place is elsewhere. The sponsored tree can be any available existing circle tree within the woodland. Tree sponsorships are proving to be very popular with those who choose an ash scattering, allowing the family to place their own memorial post within any part of the woodland.
6. Benches
We have selected a number of positions around the woodland for the placing of simple oak benches, to provide resting places for visitors.
Our benches are made of green oak and inscriptions are available to families to purchase in memory of a loved one. Please contact reception for more details.