Bereaved will be able to plant treeas a memorial

Causeway Coast and Glens Council has voted to adopt a policy whereby they no longer provide memorial benches at the request of bereaved families but a tree instead. The issue was raised at Tuesday’s meeting of the Environmental Services Committee when Director Aidan McPeak told members that the four legacy councils all had different or no policies on the matter. “Over the years a number of benches have been provided and sited through the Borough.

“If Council were to accede to each request, this will present difficulties in the management and, in particular, the cost of maintaining benches.

“There is also the issue of funding suitable locations as the sites preferred by relatives are becoming saturated.

“There are also the sensitivities around the removal of benches which have reached the end of their life span or need to be moved for operational reasons.

“In 2012 (the former) Coleraine Council discontinued their policy of facilitating every request and offered the alternative of planting a tree. All costs associated with the tree planting would be borne by the requester”.

The committee agreed to adopt the policy of planting a tree with each bearing a small plaque with the name of the person being remembered.

During the discussion, Cllr Gerry Mullan asked would it not be possible to place the memorial benches in Council cemeteries.

He said that some graveyards do not have seats and, in some cases, people visiting relatives’ graves are forced to sit on the graveside. Cllr Russell Watton agreed with this.

Mr McPeak said it could be investigated if members wished.