Memorial Garden 

Our pets are members of the family, companions during the happy times and steadfast support during difficult times. And although their lives are too brief, we hold their memories dear.

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In 2020, with the generous help of donors, we began work on a beautiful memorial garden to be open to the whole community as a peaceful place to remember our beloved pets. With a winding path through the garden and welcoming benches along the way, all are welcome to wander through this tranquil oasis.   

Memorial stones are available to be purchased and placed throughout the garden. To inquire about memorial stones, or to make a donation, please call the office at 207-799-6952.  We are able to offer 4x8 permanent stones, beautifully engraved locally by Richardson Monument. They can engrave 3 lines with 15 characters per line (plus paw prints or flowers). Garden stone markers are also available with name and dates only, and biodegradable wooden memorials can be customized with any sentiment. For more details please call the office at 207-799-6952.

We are officially opening the Memorial garden to the public on June 23, 2022 at 6:00pm.   Please join us for a Pet Memorial Service with lifting up of names and Blessing of the Garden.

Reception in the garden to follow the Blessing.

Officiated by Rev. Estelle Margarones. Rev. Estelle is the Interim Pastor at First Congregational Church of South Portland and has officiated at many Pet Memorials over the years. She has been especially called to help seniors and children with grief counseling on the loss of a pet. Learn more about her and her compassionate work at PetCelebrationOfLife.org and MemorialServicesForPets.com. Everyone in the community is invited to join us for this event. To RSVP and if you would like your pet's name included in the service, please contact us at VRCCE 207-799-6952.

Created originally to remove an area of invasive and environmentally harmful plants, the Memorial Garden is now filled with indigenous and thoughtful landscaping. Re-purposed hardscaping from an old foundation on the property further enhances this beautiful, serene area to remember and honor those four-legged souls that have so deeply touched our hearts. The garden path extends from the parking area and loops around a private outdoor space covered by a natural evergreen canopy. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the stone seating walls and planting beds created primarily from reclaimed stone on site.  These stone planting benches taper to the ground at each end and have natural embedded shelves for placing individual mementos of remembrance. 

 The path ends at a reflection bench facing the field. Defined resting areas, walkways and quiet places will provide for better use of the landscape, which will be filled with native Maine plants, creating privacy for visitors who come to say goodbye, grieve, reflect, and heal.