In Windsor, a funeral home has been recognized for its tradition of planting trees to honor deceased loved ones. Reid Funeral Home Ltd. was awarded an environmental achievement accolade by the Essex Region Conservation Authority for establishing the six-acre Fred Cada Memorial Forest at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area. Over the past three decades, the funeral home has planted numerous trees in memory of the families it has served.
Stephanie Piroli, the office manager at Reid’s Leamington branch, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the long-term impact of their tree-planting practice on future generations. The initiative, initiated by the grandfather of the current owner Kevin Reid in 1995, aimed to foster community bonding and serve as a unique way to celebrate lives beyond traditional ceremonies.
Before the pandemic, Reid Funeral Home organized annual ceremonial tree-planting events at Hillman Marsh with the participation of client families and conservation authority members. The company covers the cost of planting a tree for each family that has lost a loved one, amounting to approximately 450 seedlings annually at an estimated expense of $8,000. Additionally, Reid recently installed a wind phone in the forest, allowing individuals to symbolically communicate with departed loved ones.
Unlike some businesses that charge for memorial tree planting, Reid Funeral Home funds the initiative internally without passing on additional costs to clients or engaging third-party services. Piroli highlighted the enduring symbolism of trees in honoring loved ones and supporting the local ecosystem, noting the popularity of tree-planting as a commemorative gesture.
The tree-planting practice aligns with Reid’s commitment to sustainable operations and offering eco-friendly options to its clients. Other recipients of the Essex Region Conservation Authority awards include various individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions to environmental conservation. Molly Allaire, the Conservation Authority Chair, commended the awardees for their dedication to conservation efforts.