Our memorial garden helps us grieve - a cemetery felt too far away

Emma Moore says the garden has given her family, including elder daughter Penelope, a focus following the death of baby Mabel

When Emma Moore's daughter Mabel died, the idea of visiting her in a cemetery felt too far away.

Mabel was born prematurely at 27 weeks in April, her lungs had not fully developed and she lived for just two days. Emma keeps Mabel's ashes next to a photograph of her tiny feet but she wanted a special place to feel close to her.

The stillness of green spaces "can help us connect with memories" of loved ones, says Andy Langford, clinical director at Cruse Bereavement Support.

Emma, with her partner Louis and daughter Penelope, says the garden reminds them of Mabel each day

"I'd never done anything like this before, so I had no clue about where to start," says Emma, 35, who lives near Bolton with her partner Louis and elder daughter Penelope.

Of all the flowers the family have planted in Mabel's garden, Emma's favourite are the lilies.

Families speak about the healing power of nature and how some have created dedicated green spaces at home.

White lilies are said to represent peace and are a traditional choice for acts of remembrance in the UK, says botanist James Wong of BBC Gardeners' Question Time.

The colour of your flowers is a personal choice, adds Wong, so there is no need to "follow the rules" of British tradition with white lilies.

Emma hadn't done much gardening before but has enjoyed creating one for Mabel

Wong says smell helps people connect to nature and works in harmony with the sight of beautiful flowers to create a peaceful atmosphere.