Family commemorate Melton man’s life with natural burial

It was the wish of David Slocombe to be commemorated in an environmentally-friendly way and his family is planning for it to take place next month.

An online fundraising page has already generated £1,000 towards the special tribute to his life after a funeral took place earlier this month at West Bridgford Crematorium.

The memorial tree will be planted at Prestwold Natural Burial Ground next month and the family hope it will become an attractive location for people who knew David to enjoy visiting in his memory.

His son, Chris (33), told the Melton Times: “When you go to a graveyard it is a bit morbid and a bit sad, because of where you are.

“But going to somewhere like this will be different.

“Mum says that in the summers we can go up there and have a picnic and be close to dad.

“We will tell everyone where he is and they can go and see him.

“We think it’s a nicer way of commemorating him and remembering him.”

David, who was a self-employed accountant and bookkeeper, died suddenly on January 24.

He was married for 33 years to Rosemary and the couple had three sons, Chris, Adam (31) and 22-year-old Tim, plus a grandchild, Oscar.

The couple were originally from Bournemouth and moved to Melton more than 20 years ago to be nearer Rosemary’s side of the family.

Chris said: “It was a shock to lose dad.

“He was due to hit retirement age in June and was going to slow down which would also enable my mum to reduce her working hours.”

David was a private man, Chris said, who was very family-orientated.

He was a Fulham FC football fan, liked fantasy board games and enjoyed painting miniatures for the games.

Other passions were movies and music and he performed as a DJ in his younger days.

The family were amazed at the reaction to David’s passing from friends and work colleagues and thankful for the support they have given to the fundraising for his natural burial.

Any extra money raised will go towards additional environmental features near the tree, such as bird boxes and hedgehog hides.

Go to uk.gofundme.com/f/dave-slocombes-commemorative-tree to pledge money towards David Slocombe’s memorial tree.