In the Windsor area, a funeral home has recently been honored with a conservation award for their long-standing tradition of planting trees to remember departed loved ones. Reid Funeral Home Ltd. was recognized by the Essex Region Conservation Authority for their dedication to creating the six-acre Fred Cada Memorial Forest at the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area over the past 30 years. Stephanie Piroli, the office manager at Reid’s Leamington branch, expressed gratitude for the award, emphasizing the significance of giving back to future generations through this meaningful practice.
The tradition of planting trees to honor families started in 1995 with Kevin Reid’s grandfather, the funeral home’s current owner. Piroli mentioned that this initiative aimed to bring people together in a unique way beyond traditional ceremonies, fostering a sense of community and remembrance. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reid Funeral Home used to invite families to participate in an annual tree-planting event at Hillman Marsh in collaboration with the conservation authority.
Each year, the funeral home donates funds to cover the planting of around 450 seedlings, costing approximately $8,000. Additionally, Reid recently installed a wind phone in the forest, allowing individuals to symbolically communicate with departed loved ones. Piroli clarified that unlike some businesses that charge for planting memorial trees, Reid absorbs the costs and does not pass them on to clients. The emphasis is on sustainability, aligning with the funeral home’s eco-friendly practices and commitment to giving back to the environment.
The recognition by the Essex Region Conservation Authority also highlighted other environmental champions, such as North Star High School EcoTeam member Madison Kemp, Unifor 444 Environment Committee leader Allison Kozolanka, and volunteers from the Town of Amherstburg and John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area. Chair Molly Allaire commended all the recipients for their dedication to conservation efforts, underscoring the positive impact of their contributions on the environment.