Garden of Memories

Garden of Memories

St Catherine’s Anglican Church Centenary Suburbs ‘Garden of Memories’ is a quiet, peaceful place intended to care for ash remains of our beloved in a dignified, Christian, non-commercial manner.

Do you have the ashes of someone you loved that you would like to be interred (buried) in a quiet, peaceful place, close to home,
where you can visit and remember?

Have you already disposed of the ashes of your loved ones elsewhere but would like a plaque and an entry in the
Book of Remembrance to commemorate their lives?
Future generations will then be able to trace their family and visit the place where they are remembered.

Are you considering a final resting place for you or other family members but don’t like the idea of a big,
impersonal commercial Garden of Remembrance? By pre-arranging and pre-paying you can be assured your wishes will be carried out and your family will not be financially burdened or unnecessarily stressed by having to make difficult decisions.

Whichever situation applies to you, we welcome your enquiry and will gladly discuss your needs.

The garden is not simply a place of memorial:
it is a place of prayer and reflection where our loved ones are remembered.

The focal point is below an elevated cross under which the wording, in the bronze mosaic paving, reads "Glory to God" and "In Memoriam". On the surrounding pillars memorial plaques can be placed.

During our weekly worship services, prayers are said for those on the anniversaries of their interment, and a candle is lit on the Sunday prior to the anniversary of death of those interred.

The Book of Remembrance is on display under the Garden of Memories veranda, together with a map showing interments and the location of memorial plaques. In years to come future generations will be able to trace their family.

The plants in the garden are predominately native species and if you would like to have one planted as a living memorial of your loved one, this can be arranged.

The garden is open at all times and visitors are welcome to walk through the gardens or sit and take time to reflect. Access is from Macfarlane Street via the steps between the rectory and the church building.

To apply, please refer to the brochure and the Rules and Regulations. For enquiries please contact the Parish Office.

Remembering those whose Anniversary of Death occurs in August

5 August 1994 Doris Edna (Edna) Beaumont
10 August 2012 Ernest Stanton Hall
14 August 2007 John Theodore Bates
20 August 1989 Frank Littleton Bullock
22 August 2000 Carol Joan Fisher
26 August 1992 Hellen Gillett
29 August 2007 John Theodore Bates
29 August 1995 John Bernard (Jack) Fitchett

WOODLAND BURIAL

Don’t lay me in some gloomy churchyard shaded by a wall,
Where the dust of ancient bones has spread a dryness over all,
Lay me in some leafy loam where, sheltered from the cold,
Little seeds investigate and tender leaves unfold.
There kindly and affectionately, plant a native tree,
To grow resplendent before God and hold some part of me.
The roots will not disturb me as they wend their peaceful way,
To build the fine and bountiful, from closure and decay.
To seek their small requirements so that when their work is done,
I’ll be tall and standing strongly in the beauty of the sun.

© Pam Ayres. The poem is from Pam Ayres’ book, Surgically Enhanced, and is reproduced with permission from the author.