Angus residents are to be offered more ways of remembering their loved ones in the area’s open spaces.
Trees, flowering bulbs and public park upgrades will now all be available under the introduction of a policy welcomed by councillors.
Arbroath councillor Brenda Durno asked officials to look at alternatives to memorial benches, on which almost £10,000 was spent last year after donations from members of the public.
The council already operates a memorial tree scheme, but the options will be broadened to include flowering bulbs and greater encouragement for community groups to consider contributing towards play area upgrades in their towns and villages.
A minimum donation of 250 bulbs will be required for flowering areas selected by the parks department and a standard tree scheme will also be brought in, cutting the cost to contributors by removing the price of a memorial plaque.
“This scheme is designed to help the parks section replace mature trees felled or lost due to age,” said communities chief Stewart Ball.
The council will also publicise a list of parks projects on its website to which individuals or businesses can contribute.
Park equipment projects have already been supported in Forfar, where a near £100,000 upgrade of the Steele Park was completed, and at Edzell Muir with the installation of outdoor fitness equipment in a project led by the village improvement society.
Mr Ball said appropriate recognition will be given in each scheme through commemorative certificates, plaques or permanent signage.
Ms Durno said: “I am pleased my ideas have come to the committee with a new range of options that will both benefit our communities and leave a lasting memorial to our loved ones forever.”
Dundee City Council say they also offer a range of ways to remember loved ones, including plaques, seats and trees.
Earlier this year, the city council became embroiled in a row with bereaved parents over the placing of toys and other decorations in the baby graves area at Birkhill cemetery.
There had been complaints about the amount of items commemorating lost children affecting the peace of the site and plans were drawn up to carry out a sensitive landscaping of the area.
