Our Garden of Memory was extended

It was Friday 17 April 2015: We celebrated the grand opening of our Garden of Memory, which had to be extended, with "our" orphaned parents.

The Sternenbrücke stays in touch with the affected families even after the loss of their child. Our work includes talking to people about their  experiences and about filling the resulting void with memories. We dedicate a special place to these memories in our Garden of Memory.

Because the garden we created in 2005 had unfortunately reached its limits, and because we wanted to continue to be able to put up lamps with the names of the young people who died at the Sternenbrücke engraved on them, the Sternenbrücke asked all friends and supporters to help extend the garden with donations.

Thanks to the many donations we received, we were able to open the extension on 17 April together with "our" orphaned families. The guests were visibly touched by the result. An identical garden was added to the original garden. Together they now form the shape of an infinity symbol. The large angel made from sandstone was moved and now oversees both gardens.

In her opening speech, hospice manager Ute Nerge expressed her gratitude for the many donations that enabled the extension and allows the orphaned family members to continue to place a lamp in the garden in memory of their deceased children and siblings. "I am deeply grateful that the many donations allowed us to extent this special garden and to provide future affected families with a special place of remembrance."

Another special moment was when one of "our" families whose child died this year placed the first lamp with their child's name on it into the new part of the garden.