🌈 From Sketch to Sanctuary: Creating the ‘Forever Loved’ Rainbow Memorial Bench

When St Helens Cemetery contacted us with an idea for a special bench for their Babies & Infants section, we knew this would be one of those projects that carries real heart.

Their brief began with a few beautiful words: “a children’s storybook woodland landscape… with a rainbow as the main feature.”
They wanted something soft, whimsical, and full of love — a space where families could sit and reflect, surrounded by warmth and gentle woodland life.

The Beginning

It all started, as so many of our pieces do, with a sketch.
The early design included a fox beneath a rainbow, surrounded by hedgehogs, squirrels, and birds. When the first draft went out, the lovely team at St Helens wrote back:

“We love the rainbow and the dove! Could we soften it a little — perhaps replace the fox with a bunny, add some bees, and make the animals more childlike?”

Their feedback guided the design into something truly tender — a piece that felt like it belonged in a children’s storybook.

Bringing the Vision to Life

Once the final design was approved, our craftsmen began carving the bench from solid Welsh oak. Each curve, animal, and leaf was hand-shaped and textured to capture a sense of life and movement. The rainbow, inscribed with “We will look for you in rainbows”, became the heart of the piece — a symbol of remembrance, hope, and enduring love.

Around it, the woodland came to life: an owl watching quietly from the trees, a hedgehog and rabbits nestled in the grass, and bees gently buzzing across the scene. On the armrests, butterflies rest as if they’ve just landed — subtle touches that bring comfort and joy.

A Place to Remember

The inscription “Forever Loved” is carved into the front panel, a simple message that says everything.
We know that memorial benches are never just benches — they become places of quiet conversation, reflection, and connection. They hold memories, comfort the grieving, and celebrate lives that, however brief, were filled with love.

The Final Piece

When the bench was finished, we couldn’t help but feel proud of what it represented — a blend of craftsmanship, empathy, and imagination.
It’s now joined by a trio of carved toadstools, completing the scene with a playful, storybook feel.

This project reminded us why we do what we do: to turn imagination into something real — something that brings beauty, meaning, and peace to those who need it most.

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Discover More

If you’d like to commission a bespoke memorial bench or design a piece in memory of a loved one, we’d be honoured to help.
Explore our Memorial Bench Collection or get in touch to discuss your own idea.