Spring Ash Interment Support

A seasonal contribution is available.

Celebrating Mother’s Day might not have been something you gave a second thought to in years gone by. You may have simply bought your mum a card, ordered some flowers and taken her out to lunch, spoiling her for the hard work she put into taking care of you for all those years. 

However, anyone who has lost their mum knows that Mother’s Day is another date in the calendar when their grief hits hard, reminding them of their loss and the absence of one of the most important people in their lives.

This year, Mother’s Day falls on March 15th, so if you know someone who might find it a difficult experience to navigate, here are some tips on how you can support them with their grief.

– Be there to talk to

Your friend or relative might not want to bring up the topic, but try not to avoid it. Mother’s Day can be extremely painful, especially when seeing other people still being able to celebrate it with their mum. 

Remind your loved one that you are there for them when they need someone to talk to, and you can sit with them in their grief, offer them a distraction, or provide practical help, depending on how they want to handle the day.

Some people might feel regret at not having spent more time with their mother, or not having been able to help them more when they were alive. 

Charity Sue Ryder encourages bereaved people to talk about all their feelings, even the ones they may be tempted to push aside, saying: “Focus on the time you did have and how special that was for you both.”

– Share special memories

For some people, dealing with the feelings of grief is so painful that they want to avoid it altogether, ignoring the day entirely. 

While losing someone close to you is heartbreaking, it is important to sit with those hard feelings, whether it’s sadness, anger, denial, guilt, blame, or relief, in order to process them.

If they feel like they can talk about memories of their mum, invite them to do so and share your own as well. You could look back at photos, reminisce about old stories, laugh at anecdotes or flick through scrapbooks. 

Watch her favourite TV show together, cook her best dish, go to her favourite restaurant, or visit her most loved place. Small familiar moments like these can offer a quiet way to remember her.

– Hold a remembrance event

While some people might want to ignore the day completely, others may wish to use this as an opportunity to remember their mother. 

You could help your friend to hold a remembrance event, whether this is just the two of you lighting a candle in her honour, or gathering family around for a little memorial. 

There are many things you could do to remember a loved one, from planting trees, visiting their burial plot, or raising a toast to her. 

GreenAcres also holds a Mother’s Day Remembrance event, which gives people the chance to light a candle and tie a memorial heart on the Remembrance Tree, reflecting on their loss and cherishing the special memories they have of their mum. 

– Offer a distraction if they want

Some people may want to be alone on Mother’s Day, but it is worth offering to be around, whether that is to be part of their remembrance event or to distract the bereaved party. 

You could go for a walk with them, watch a movie, have a coffee, or take them out for lunch. They might feel comfortable enough in those moments to share their thoughts with you. 

Simply being present in whatever way feels right can make the day feel less isolating. 

– Check in afterwards

Do not forget to check in on your loved one after Mother’s Day has been and gone. While they might prepare for the influx of grief on the day itself, they may not be ready to experience the waves of emotions in the days or weeks surrounding it. 

A simple message, coming around when they don’t expect it, or asking them how they are feeling is enough to show that you are thinking of them. 

– Get them to reach out

If they are really struggling with their grief, they may need to talk to a professional about their feelings. 

Encourage them to reach out to someone who can help them, whether that’s by seeing their GP, getting support from a charity, or speaking to other people in the same boat at GreenAcres Bereavement Cafes.

Losing someone can take a long time to adjust to, so it is important to give grief the respect it deserves and take it one day at a time. 

Winter can be an extremely tough time for many people. While it can be difficult to get outside and surround yourself in nature, it can be just as beneficial for the heart and mind to do so as it is for the body.

Whilst the idea of Blue Monday is largely a myth invented by travel agents by co-opting the name of an iconic New Order song, it is hardly surprising that winter can be difficult at the best of times.

However, for people grieving or who have an anniversary of loss during winter, the emotional weight of the season can be particularly heavy.

Why is this? And can a memorial in and around nature help us to process?

How Can Nature Counteract The Effects Of Seasonal Sadness?

We often underestimate just how strong our connection to the natural world is. This can feel especially true during the harshest parts of winter, when we can often feel disconnected from it and seeing the verdant greenery disappear by late autumn can sometimes be difficult and cause us to feel low.

At its strongest, it can lead to a seasonal affective disorder, an intense form of depression that begins in winter and ends as the weather improves.

Exactly why this occurs is a complex mix of neurophysical and psychological causes. Reduced daylight, less accessible natural environments and more time spent indoors to fight the cold can all play a part.

According to the University of New Hampshire, getting out whenever you can, spending time in the green spaces that are around and staying active can all help to counter these natural effects.

This is what makes natural green spaces around places of rest so vital. Through our Parks, we hope to provide a fitting memorial, a celebration of life and a place where people can start moving forward.

Can Embracing Natural Change Help With Grief?

In the past few decades, people around the world have increasingly embraced the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, a celebration of the beauty of imperfection and impermanence that often stands in contrast to other philosophies which covet a type of eternal monument.

It is the idea that age, transition and the changing of seasons add to the unique beauty of life, typically characterised in three ways that are epitomised through natural memorials:

All of these tenets are found in glorious abundance in nature, particularly over the winter months. There are paths and patterns forged by nature and our interactions with it, the rings of trees and the ways in which branches grow, which are more visible following the autumn’s fall.

Accepting and embracing these changes as a fundamental part of life allows you to embrace and celebrate the moments you have had with your loved ones as part of a journey.

Can Embracing Nature In Winter Help Improve Resilience?

Whilst there are many benefits to embracing nature all year round, there is a temptation to see winter nature walks as something important to do in spite of the season. However, winter provides its own unique benefits even compared to other parts of the year.

Most importantly, getting out can be an achievement in itself and a small step towards building resilience, a vital part of healing after trauma.

Resilience is the quality that helps us begin to rebuild after a loss. The first step, figuratively and literally, can be to step outside and engage with natural environments at their rawest and starkest.

Every step you take is a victory and forges a path of mental strength that comes from embracing each of the victories we have.

As well as this, nature hikes are often especially vivid, with every part of your senses enhanced through the cold winter weather and its effects on the environment around you.

The frost and snow on the ground, the crisp sensation of every breath and the gentle noise of the wind cannot help but draw your attention to the world around you and to the moment you are living in.

The power of mindfulness has been increasingly discussed in recent years. Whilst the focus is often on intentional practice through activities such as meditation, spending time in nature during the winter can offer a similar sense of mental calm, particularly when contemplating heavier subjects.

As winter settles in and daylight hours grow shorter, many people notice a natural shift in energy, mood and motivation. The colder months often invite us to slow down, yet they can also feel heavy, quiet or emotionally challenging.

At GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks, we believe nature offers gentle support throughout every season. Even in winter, the natural world continues to provide moments of calm, connection and reassurance — often in quieter, more subtle ways.

The emotional impact of shorter winter days

During winter, reduced sunlight and changing routines can affect wellbeing. It’s common to feel more tired, reflective or withdrawn during this time of year. 

While these feelings are completely natural, finding small ways to stay connected, with nature, with others and with ourselves, can make a meaningful difference.

Spending time outdoors, even briefly, has been shown to support mental wellbeing, helping to reduce stress and encourage a sense of balance. 

In winter, this connection doesn’t need to be long or demanding,  it can be as simple as a short walk, a pause beneath the trees, or a moment of stillness in fresh air.

Why nature matters in winter

Nature does not disappear in winter, it simply changes.

Bare branches reveal new perspectives. Frost highlights detail. Quieter landscapes create space to breathe. These subtle shifts can be grounding, offering a sense of continuity when everything else feels busy or uncertain.

Research continues to show that time spent in natural surroundings can help improve mood, reduce anxiety and support emotional wellbeing. 

In winter especially, nature invites gentleness, reminding us that rest and reflection are not signs of stopping, but necessary parts of growth.

Finding calm in stillness

Winter often carries a sense of stillness that can feel unfamiliar, yet this quiet can also be deeply comforting. Without the rush of longer days, there is an opportunity to slow down and be present.

Many visitors tell us that winter visits feel particularly peaceful, with fewer distractions and a deeper sense of calm. 

The softer sounds, cooler air and open landscapes can create a sanctuary-like experience, offering space for thought, remembrance or simply being. 

Small ways to connect with nature during winter

Connecting with nature doesn’t need to be complicated. Gentle, manageable moments often have the greatest impact:

For some, connection may also come through shared moments with others. 

Our Bereavement Cafés offer a gentle, welcoming space to come together during the winter months, often followed by time spent outdoors in the park, where nature can provide calm, comfort and reassurance alongside conversation.

These small acts, whether taken alone or together, can help restore balance and support wellbeing throughout the colder months.

A sanctuary through every season

At GreenAcres, our Parks are designed to offer a sense of sanctuary all year round. 

While winter may look different from spring or summer, its calmness holds its own kind of beauty,  one rooted in reflection, reassurance and quiet connection.

Nature continues to support us even during the darkest days, reminding us that light returns, seasons shift, and growth is always underway, even when unseen.

As winter unfolds, we invite you to take things gently. Whether through a visit, a walk, or a moment outdoors close to home, nature remains a steady presence, offering comfort, clarity and calm when it’s needed most.

To learn more about our Parks, community spaces or Bereavement Cafés, our team is always available to help.

Find support and information: www.greenacresgroup.co.uk

Preserving the memory of a loved one is about celebrating them as an individual. Ensuring that they are remembered for what they did in life and who they were as a person often requires a ceremony that differs significantly from person to person.

Whilst for some this can include a type of funeral ceremony, particularly if faith was a key part of their life, for others it can involve a ceremony that is focused on ensuring that someone deeply special is never forgotten.

This is where a Celebration of Life Service can be an appealing option for families, friends and loved ones who wish to pay tribute in a less formal and more personal way, helping them to feel more connected to those who have passed.

Both are very solemn, powerful ceremonies, and our multi-faith Service Halls allow for both religious and non-religious Services, with the potential for final resting places in our Living Memorial Parks to be appropriately blessed and consecrated.

To understand which ceremony is right for your loved one, here are some of the biggest differences between a celebration of life and a traditional funeral.

What Is A Celebration Of Life?

A celebration of life is not a specific set of ceremonial rites or a particular type of Service, but instead is a personalised tribute to an individual and the imprint they left on the world and the people who love and care about them most.

It can take place anywhere, can last as long or as short as a person wants, and it can be as joyful or introspective as is appropriate for the loved one being honoured. 

In many cases, music, poetry, passages from books they liked, slideshows and scrapbooks presenting a vivid collection of their memories, a meal or even a party can be fundamental parts of the ceremony.

They are often very interactive and collaborative, with friends and family telling stories, reminiscing and sharing all of the fond memories and impact that they had.

The most important aspect at the centre is building a legacy to ensure that they will never be forgotten. We often suggest planting a Living Memorial Tree, but creating a scrapbook, guestbook, or other collaborative mural that can celebrate a person and last beyond the end of the ceremony is key.

How Is It Different From A Funeral?

By contrast, a funeral Service has a specific set of rites and religious requirements, reflecting on a person’s transition from one stage of their life to the next.

Exactly how the Service will be undertaken can vary, but it will be in accordance with the faith of the person at the centre, and consist of prayers, hymns, religious passages, sermons and established eulogies.

Every religion has a different philosophy with regard to funeral rites, either explicitly written in scripture or having built up over centuries.

How Is The Tone Of A Celebration Of Life Different From A Funeral?

A funeral Service is understandably extremely sombre. It is a formal, spiritual farewell that focuses on the end of a chapter and the start of the next, whilst celebrating the memory and sharing stories is usually part of an informal wake or post-funeral reception.

By contrast, a celebration of life is often focused on the joy a person brought to the people around them and the joy of living itself. 

Whilst it can be more contemplative or incorporate religious elements, this is far from a requirement, and it is often focused on bringing everyone in the room together. Some celebrations of life can even feel like a party.

It is possible to have both; some funerals have a celebration of life as an after-ceremony informal occasion.

How Does The Dress Code Of A Celebration Of Life Differ From A Funeral?

Whilst it often varies, a celebration of life is often focused on the desires and views of the person in question. It can sometimes be smart-casual, it can be more casual, or it can even feature costumes, bright colours and accessories.

By contrast, a funeral ceremony typically requires formal dress, with black suits and dresses often expected if possible, to fit the melancholic mood of the occasion.

When Is A Celebration Of Life Right For Your Loved One?