The Surrey Tree of Life Memorial
The Surrey Tree of Life has been created as a place where we can place the names of those who have departed.
The Surrey Tree of Life Memorial
Historically, Stag Hill was part of the Royal Deer Park created by Henry II in 1154. Early in the University’s history it was decided that the 33 hectare Stag Hill campus should be an arboretum and today we have a collection of more than 300 different trees species and around 1,500 trees. In total, there are around 2,800 trees on the 120-hectare university estate over its five sites around Guildford.
Over the years many of the trees have become poignant memorials to remember students, staff and extended members of our campus community. We have now created a Surrey Tree of Life where we can place the names of those who have departed.
Sculpture and Memorial Garden
The Religious Life and Belief Centre, Centre for Wellbeing and Welfare and our horticultural and landscape team have created this new space for memorial and reflection. The space in front of the Roundhouse Religious Life and Belief Centre has been a place of reflection, meditation and quiet gatherings. It was decided to landscape the area with new trees and to commission a memorial sculpture: the Tree of Life.
The concept of a tree of life exists in many cultures and belief systems across the world. We believe this sculpture will become a focal point for marking the eternal memory and remembering the lives of those we have lost within our campus community: friends, colleagues and loved ones. The tree has spaces to place 640 individual memorial leaves on it. Current members of staff and students can apply to have a leaf on the tree to remember someone who was part of the Surrey University community with the name of that person and a small inscription.
Who are we remembering?
The University is keen to mark the lives of those who were part of our university community at their passing including:
- Staff in service and students studying here
- Retired staff with a record of long service whose families request a leaf
- Recently graduated students
- Members of the community with a long association with the University at the discretion of either the University and/or the College of Chaplains.
Is there a cost and how do I order a leaf for a friend/colleague or family member?
The leaves are purchased at the following price:
- Large-sized golden aluminium memorial leaf
- Single-sided: £49.50 (ex UK VAT @ 20%)
- Double-sided engraving: +£10 (£69.50) (ex UK VAT @ 20%).
Front side is for:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Date of death.
Reverse side is for:
Personal message up to 40 characters spread over 2,3 or 4 lines
Orders and requests are made through memorialtree@surrey.ac.uk.
Bereavement counselling
We realise that this could be a very sensitive time for you. Bereavement counselling is available through our Religious Life and Belief Centre. Please email chaplaincy@surrey.ac.uk to make an appointment. We have chaplains from seven world faiths and the humanist tradition.
Reflections
Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. (Bahai Saying)
There is the Unborn, Uncreated, Unconditioned and Unformed … escape is therefore discerned… it is Nirvana. (Buddhist)
The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Christian)
Lead me from the untruth to the truth. Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality Om Peace Peace Peace. (Hindu)
Dear lovely Death; that taketh all things under wing; Never to kill - Only to change Into some other thing; This suffering flesh, To make it either more or less, But not again the same. Dear lovely Death, Change is thy other name. (Humanist)
O soul that are at rest! Return to your Lord, well-pleased (with him), well-pleasing (Him), So enter among My servants, And enter into My garden. (Islam)
God, full of compassion, who dwells on high, provide perfect rest beneath the wings of the Divine Presence, in the exalted places among the holy and pure, who shine as the brightness of Heaven (Jewish)
Allow my death to be Repentance as the renewal of life. No sin is unforgivable except the sin of unrepentance. I am eternal the Lords. (Orthodox Christian)
Dwell in peace in the home of your own being, and the Messenger of Death will not be able to touch you. (Sikh)