LIVING MEMORIALS tel: 01287 644932 mob: 07979 508071

original artworks to remember the life of a lost loved one

Denise Nesbitt is already well-regarded for her bespoke stationery designs which she provides for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations. Now she has turned her considerable talents to providing something different to remember loved ones who have passed away. After researching the market following the loss of close family, Denise realised that there was great demand for an alternative to traditional burial methods but very few people, if any, were providing it. As a 'memorial artist' Denise offers people the opportunity to remember their loved-ones in a variety of creative ways. Already she has been asked to provide watercolour paintings, eulogies, readings, poetry, calligraphy designs and sympathy books for funerals. Living Memorials has the support of funeral directors from across the Tees Valley, bereavement councillors and the Natural Death Centre in London as well as TV personality Bridget Strawbridge from the BBC series 'It's Not Easy Being Green'. The company will operate on a national level through the website www.livingmemorials.co.uk. Speaking about her new venture, Denise commented: "Living Memorials has been a long time in the making as I wanted to get it right and to have the support of important people, such as bereavement councillors and funeral directors. Having lost close family myself I have total empathy with my clients and try to help them through a very difficult time by giving them something to focus on. The subject of death is often taboo and it can be very hard to talk about. However I try to view what I do as helping people celebrate the life of a loved-one as it can bring close friends and families together. And of course the environmental element is also important as we all become more aware of saving the planet and making use of sustainable materials, which is something I am passionate about." Denise Nesbitt, from Liverton Village, has spent the last year researching and establishing Living Memorials which offers people an alternative to the traditional costly methods of burial. In addition the service is also environmentally friendly as the living memorials on offer are sustainable and prevent over-crowding and vandalism of graveyards. Visit her blog at http://livingmemorials.blogspot.com/ or e-mail her at info@livingmemorials.co.uk