For over 100 years, Batesville has created products and services for funeral professionals to help families honour the lives of loved ones. Through its Living Memorial program, the company is also leaving an important legacy for future generations. Over 14.5 million trees have been planted worldwide through the program since 1976 to help grieving families begin the journey of healing.

The act of planting a young tree is one that creates hope for the future and can help us to find meaning in the face of loss. The Australian chapter of Batesville has recently purchased 1,000 trees and tree guards for community groups to plant in Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland.

Site 1 | 200 trees | Sandy Bay Rivulet, TAS

This revegetation project took place along the banks and adjacent to Sandy Bay Rivulet just south of Hobart, TAS. After clearing countless weeds and introduced species such as willows, hemlock and thistles, LandcareTAS member Nick Davis and family, planted out 200 plants such as acacias and gums.

These native plants will attract local birdlife such as the rare Forty-spotted pardalote (top L), Green rosella (top R), Dusty robin (bottom L) and Eastern spinebill (bottom R).

Site 2 | 300 trees | Molesworth, VIC

Upper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) planted out the 300 trees in Molesworth, VIC in the winter months of this year. The trees were a collection of eucalyptus, acacia, bursaria and banksia. The revegetation project is to protect the dominate species in the floodplan district, which is the mighty redgum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis).

Site 3 | 500 trees | Cassowary Shire Coast QLD

This planting with over 30 different species was conducted at Mena Creek Reserve on a Wildlife Land Trust listed property by Brettacorp. These trees will improve biodiversity and water flow quality that goes to the Great Barrier Reef plus create food source trees for endangered species such as the Southern Cassowary.

A huge cheers to the volunteers who helped make this happen, and to our generous sponsors at Bateville Caskets for the 500 trees and tree guards.

Brett Krause | Coordinator | Brettacorp

Working with Fifteen Trees means families being supported by Batesville can see where their loved one’s trees are located. Our collaboration not only creates a living memorial, but also nourishes the environment and improves our collective quality of life.

Writer; Bronwyn Blaiklock.

Bron is a multidisciplinary creative: a poet, a pianist, a reformed perfectionist. She has worked in the creative and education sectors for over 25 years. She also confesses to having an affair with an accordion, but whatever you do, don’t tell the piano. Find Bronwyn here.