Planting trees as a way to remember departed loved ones has been a common tradition for many years. Recently, a funeral home in the Windsor area was recognized with a conservation award for this practice. Reid Funeral Home Ltd. was honored by the Essex Region Conservation Authority for their extensive tree planting efforts over the past three decades. Their dedication has led to the establishment of the six-acre Fred Cada Memorial Forest at the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area.
Stephanie Piroli, the office manager at Reid’s Leamington branch, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the long-term impact of their actions on future generations. The tradition of planting trees in memory of deceased family members started in 1995 with the founder’s grandfather, Kevin Reid. This initiative aimed to bring people together in a meaningful way beyond traditional mourning ceremonies.
Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the funeral home annually organized tree-planting ceremonies at Hillman Marsh in collaboration with the conservation authority. Reid Funeral Home would make a donation to cover the cost of planting a tree for each client family who had experienced a loss that year, amounting to around 450 seedlings annually, at an estimated cost of $8,000.
In addition to the tree planting, Reid Funeral Home also funded the installation of a wind phone in the forest. This unique feature allows individuals to symbolically communicate with departed loved ones. Piroli noted that unlike some businesses that charge for such services, Reid covers the expenses internally and does not pass on any additional costs to clients. She highlighted the enduring significance of planting trees as a way to honor loved ones and contribute positively to the community and ecosystem.
Furthermore, Piroli emphasized that tree planting aligns with Reid’s broader sustainability initiatives and commitment to eco-friendly practices. The company refrains from engaging in fee-for-service tree planting arrangements through third parties.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority’s awards also recognized other individuals and organizations for their conservation efforts, including North Star High School EcoTeam member Madison Kemp, Unifor 444 Environment Committee leader Allison Kozolanka, the Town of Amherstburg, and John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area volunteers Brad and Sherri Nelson and Julius Langpeter. Conservation Authority Chair Molly Allaire commended all the recipients for their significant contributions to conservation efforts.