Natural or living burial grounds have an ethos of sustainability and environmental protection; for example, GreenAcres call it a ‘One Planet mind-set’. They see themselves as guardians trying to save water, preserve woodland and regenerate the earth. They are passionate about the ecology, flora and fauna of the grounds. Many natural burial grounds are working towards being carbon neutral.
They have clear ethical boundaries; for instance, they will not allow paper sky lanterns, balloon releases and like me, don’t support dove releases. See here (to follow) for my ethical and sustainability values.
If you are having a burial or interment of ashes ceremony, there will be restrictions placed on what can be used; metal-lined caskets cannot be accommodated as everything must be able to decompose naturally. Locally, no plastic is allowed, including artificial flowers, cellophane or elastic bands.
A grave or a plot can be marked by trees or wooden plaques, not a headstone. Staff will be able to guide you; they’re friendly, knowledgeable and approachable, and I’m happy to help.
- In certain circumstances, you might be able to have a candle lighting ceremony, but I can check on your behalf.
- There’s an option for cremation or burial afterwards
- You might be able to gather and watch their final journey as the hearse leaves through the woodland to an unwitnessed (direct) cremation
- Usually, the time available is longer, and if you would like to spend some time alone with their coffin, we are happy to melt into the background, having asked everyone else to leave.
The atmosphere will be less formal, and they are usually dog friendly. I once had three beautifully behaved Labradors who settled down by the coffin, content to be with their master. It changed the feel of the celebration of life, and everyone was visibly more relaxed.
- You can have a tree planted on site to memorialise your loved one
- After the service in the hall, you can have a woodland or meadow burial. The grounds are not consecrated, so anyone can be buried there.
- You can purchase a single or family plot.
- Generally, a burial is more expensive, especially in natural burial grounds.
The burial ground is set out informally between trees or in a meadow. The two burial parks in Norfolk are beautiful. I’m going to be buried in a woollen shroud in woodland where I can give back to nature and nourish the earth.
