A new baby garden has been officially opened at Dunham Lawn Cemetery in Altrincham.

The garden is a place for grieving parents to remember their loved ones at their graveside.

A short service of dedication was led by the Rev Kevin Johnson with contributions from the Mayor of Trafford, Cllr Chris Boyes, and representatives of the Sands charity.

Trafford Council consulted Sands, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity, which supports anyone affected by the death of a baby, with regards to the features included within the garden and will continue to work closely with the Manchester branch to offer help and support to parents.

The memorial garden joins a similar concept elsewhere in Greater Manchester, in Bolton, where a baby memorial garden was opened in 2017 outside the Royal Bolton Hospital.

In 2022, an annual Baby Loss Awareness Week remembrance event was held in the Bolton garden.

The teardrop waterfall in Altrincham’s new garden, designed and installed by The Columbaria Company, offers the option for an inscription on each teardrop but also provides a focal point for the garden.

Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services, was at the opening along with Council Leader, Cllr Tom Ross.

Cllr Adshead said: “The death of a baby is such devastating news for families and we want to do everything we can to support grieving parents in that terrible position.

“We will continue to work closely with Sands and hope the baby garden will be a peaceful place where parents can gather to remember their loved ones.”  

More information and support from Sands can be found on its website.