Memorial ideas please

[MrsL123]

We sadly lost DH's gran on Saturday and held the funeral yesterday. MIL and FIL are keen gardeners and we would like to get something for their garden to act as a memorial to her. We got them a bench when DH's grandad died a few years ago so we could just have a new plaque engraved with both names on, but we really wanted something new.

I had consider a small tree or rose bush but I'm unsure about the type to get, I wouldn't want to make a mistake and have it die. His gran loved birds so the other option is to get a bird table and have a brass plaque put on it (they already have a bird table but it's quite old now), or perhaps a garden rocking chair to match the bench. But I liked the idea of something growing/flowering so it will give them some pleasure when it blooms each year.

Any thoughts?

What about a pergola or arch with climbing/rambling roses?

The potential downside with a plant as a memorial is that when your ILs move house, they'll have to leave it behind, and I wouldn't be surprised if they're getting to the age where they want to downsize. I like the idea of the bird table if she was a keen birdwatcher.

And roses get the lurgy.

Birdtable is a brilliant idea. All year round pleasure as well, not just in the summer.

Got the bird table, thanks

Unfortunately the one we chose had no place to put a plaque (slate roof, carved wood everywhere and no flat surfaces), so we also got them one of these 'companion sets' to sit near it - they often sit out in the evening and have a drink, so they won't have to balance their drinks on the chair arms any more!

DH is going to engrave the plaque in work today - I think we'll put it on the table top, so it's there to look at without being too obvious. We're planning to put "In loving memory of GRANNY'S NAME" and then put a quote underneath saying "Greatly loved, sadly missed, always remembered". But I found a nice quote on a memorial bench website which said "In the garden of memories it is always summer. Sit. Enjoy the sunshine. And smile when you think of me". Which I thought was nice. So not sure now!

V nice indeed, I think they'll be quietly pleased.