Planting trees in memory of deceased loved ones has been a longstanding tradition, and a Windsor-area funeral home has recently been recognized for this practice. Reid Funeral Home Ltd. was honored with an environmental achievement award by the Essex Region Conservation Authority for establishing the six-acre Fred Cada Memorial Forest at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area. Over the past 30 years, the funeral home has planted numerous trees to honor the families they have served.
Stephanie Piroli, the office manager at Reid’s Leamington branch, expressed gratitude for the award, highlighting the significance of giving back to future generations through tree planting. The tradition of planting trees began in 1995 with Kevin Reid’s grandfather, the current owner. The funeral home used to organize an annual tree-planting ceremony at Hillman Marsh in collaboration with the conservation authority before the pandemic disrupted such events.
Each year, Reid Funeral Home donates to cover the cost of planting a tree for every client family who has lost a loved one. This annual contribution amounts to around $8,000 and results in approximately 450 new seedlings each year. Additionally, the funeral home recently installed a wind phone in the forest for visitors to connect with departed loved ones symbolically.
Unlike some businesses that charge for planting memorial trees, Reid covers the expenses internally without passing on additional costs to clients. Piroli explained that the enduring nature of trees makes them a popular choice for memorials, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship. The practice aligns with Reid’s commitment to sustainability and its eco-friendly offerings to clients.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority 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 expressed appreciation for these contributions to conservation efforts.