Ember Investment Corporation is the brainchild of Peter Griffith, who was the Managing Director of Lyndhurst Limited. It came into being in 1997 and the Company soon sought permission to establish a cemetery and crematorium on lands at The Ridge, Christ Church. At the time, Lyndhurst Limited was the sole shareholder. On receiving approval, preparation of the site began in early 1999 and Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens was officially opened and consecrated by the Anglican Bishop of Barbados on January 6, 2000.
Upon opening, four other funeral directors were invited to be minor shareholders: Belmont Funeral Home, Clyde B. Jones Funeral Home, Michael St. Hill & Sons Funeral Home and Waithe’s Funeral Home. With the augmented shareholding and investment aided in the further development of the site and construction of the chapel, offices and crematorium began in 2002. The building was officially opened by Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Jerome Walcott, and blessed by Canon Ivor Jones.
This multi-faceted cemetery and crematorium occupies 26 acres of well-landscaped grounds with the highest maintenance regime and is open to residents from all stations in society. On lovingly-manicured grounds of Coral Ridge stands a chapel with seating accommodation for 400. This spacious area can accommodate 100 additional chairs. Four large doors open onto cover canopies offering additional seating of 150, bringing the chapel’s total seating capacity to 650. Other highlights of Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens include strategically-placed columbariums and niche walls and a rose garden for the scattering of ashes, with memoriam walls nearby.
On December 23, 2009, Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens was officially opened in Pleasant Hall, St. Peter. It is a 26-acre cemetery, already developed with roads and car parks. It is situated on one of the most picturesque locations; it commands a spectacular view of the azure Atlantic Ocean as well as the verdant green of the parishes of St. Lucy and St. Peter, and is strategically located to serve the communities of nearby St. Andrew, St. James, St. Joseph and St. Thomas.
